Well, we’ve done it, we’re finally on Twitter! So, if you’re a current member, an old member or even a potential future member, you can stay right up to date with the latest goings on at Bridgend Hockey on the world’s fastest growing social network!

Just follow @BridgendHockey to become part of the action. What’s more, those of you already on Twitter, why not help raise awareness of our great club, by sending out our link to @BridgendHockey and/or retweeting our tweets.

You know you want to…

With the league campaign now upon us, it was a disappointing start for Bridgend Hockey as the senior men’s team fell to 3 defeats on the opening weekend.

Bridgend Mens 1st XI made the trip to Newent and with a severely depleted squad due to injuries and unavailability and after a first half performance in which we never got going, fell to a defeat by 4 goals to 1. With 6 first team regulars not featuring, it was always going to be tough against Newent who had a playing squad on the day of 14, compared to our threadbare make shift squad of 11. Having found life tough in the heat during the first half, the second half at least did ensure that Bridgend made a fight of it thanks to a goal from Andy Schofield, but it was too little to late with the half time score of 4-0 proving too difficult a hurdle to overcome. Next up, it’s a home game against Yate at Pencoed Comprehensive School next weekend. Elsewhere, Bridgend Mens 2nd XI fell to a defeat in their first game back in South Wales Division 1 with a 3-1 reverse against UW Swansea, while a goal from Rob Sloane wasn’t enough to prevent Bridgend Mens 3rd XI from suffering a 6-1 defeat to a strong Gwent outfit.

Next weekend’s fixtures:
Bridgend Mens 1st XI v Yate (Home) – 1:30pm
Bridgend Mens 2nd XI v Cardiff & UWIC (Away) – 12:00pm
Bridgend Mens 3rd XI v Cardiff & UWIC (Home) – 3:00pm

Bridgend Hockey would like to confirm the following Dates / Times for training for the forthcoming season:

Senior Men’s – Tuesday 17th August 7.30pm—9pm @ Pencoed Comp
Senior Ladies – Thursday 25th August 7.30pm—9pm @ Pencoed Comp
Youth - Tuesday 6th September 6pm—7.30pm @ Pencoed Comp

Club Open Day
The club will be holding an Open Day at Pencoed on Sat 3rd September from 10.30am—1pm for anyone who wants to play hockey at any level (New or Ex players – all ages welcome) followed by a club Exhibition Match at 1.30pm. Contact Us if you’re interested in attending, or just turn up at Pencoed Comprehensive School (Directions Here).

Club Trials / BBQ
The Club Trials / Barbecue will be on Saturday 10th September at Pencoed Comprehensive School / Rugby club 11am – 4pm.
Further Info will follow once final arrangements have been made.

Senior members, Junior members, Parents, Family and Friends…

Welcome to another season at Bridgend Hockey Club. I hope you had an enjoyable summer break and are all fit and looking forward to an enjoyable season. Last year turned out to more challenging than anticipated.

It began with the late unexpected move from Bridgend Rugby Club to Pencoed Rugby Club which did not bode well for the rest of the season as it turned out the concerns were to be found on the playing side.

Both the Men‘s and Ladies selection committees struggled week in week out to get settled and full sides onto the field, eventually resulting in relegation of the both the Men‘s 2nds and Ladies 1sts X1, and subsequent withdrawal of both the Men‘s 4th X1 and Ladies 3rd X1 from the league this season.

This will have a significant impact on the size of the playing squads for this forthcoming season. Both the Men‘s and Ladies selection committees are aware of their responsibilities in ensuring ALL ―paid up members are given the opportunity to play their chosen sport.The reasons for the demise of 2 x teams is ultimately down to the lack of availability of the members. The club can only continue to survive if members are willing to make themselves available week in week out.

The season goes from September to April not as and when you want to play – No club in any sporting activity can survive with this kind of commitment or lack of it. I do however recognise there maybe be difficulties – Now and Again. Looking ahead: next year we will be losing more than 10 young players to university which be another massive loss to our playing numbers, so this years challenge is to find new players to replace the ones we know will be leaving. We all have a part to play, please ensure your unavailability is known by your relevant Captain as early as possi-ble, pay your subs prior to the start of the season so we know who is available for selection.

Have an enjoyable and successful season…

Steve Murphy
Chairperson Bridgend Hockey Club

If you’re looking to start, continue or re-launch a hockey playing career, Bridgend Hockey is just the club you’ve been looking for!

With 3 Mens, 2 Ladies, 2 Veterans and numerous Youth teams, we’ve got the perfect level of hockey for you, whatever your skill level, experience or age. We’ve got a wide range of teams, a very busy social calendar planned and we’re the perfect way to make new friends in the Bridgend / South Wales area.

New members of all standards both Senior and Youth are very welcome, especially those looking at playing at a high standard.

Contact Us if you’re interested in joining Bridgend Hockey or for Membership Enquiries.