A summer of hockey engagement

In what has been an amazing summer for hockey in Wales, it's been fantastic to see so many young people engage with hockey at grassroots level across Wales.

Hoci Cymru has worked with a number of clubs, partners and volunteers - including NAGs player Ned Rees-Wigmore, who supported all of the Hwyl Hoci camps in the west, and Hockey Young Ambassador Rhys Culley supporting all the Food and Fun camps in the north - throughout the summer to deliver opportunities for people to get stuck into the sport, with thousands doing just that.

Hwyl Hoci has once again provided opportunities for children to get to grips with hockey in a fun and welcoming environment this summer, with invaluable support from Young Ambassadors and Masters players also making them possible.

Cwmtawe's Hwyl Hoci and Inclusion camps saw just under 30 kids pick up a stick, while another 10 enjoyed the introductory session put on at Fishguard.

Meanwhile, Hoci Cymru once again collaborated with the Welsh Local Government Association to deliver Food and Fun sessions in schools across Wales.

These are key in providing opportunities for kids to stay active during school holidays, and it was brilliant to see so many enjoy playing hockey. In the west, over 350 pupils engaged with the sport across 14 schools, while over 300 pupils from 13 different schools got stuck in in the north!

Elsewhere, Hoci Cymru was present at the Royal Welsh Show over four brilliant days, offering games and skills challenges which over 1000 children and adults thoroughly enjoyed.

Other events in the west, delivered in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales and Sport Pembrokeshire, got more than 160 kids playing hockey, too.

Further to this, it was a positive summer in terms of inclusion in the sport. With an emphasis on making hockey a sport for all, Hoci Cymru were delighted to offer so many inclusive opportunities for everyone to participate and enjoy the sport.

Activities put with NPT PASS engaged over 100 people with disabilities across two events this summer - a prime example of hockey being a sport for all!

Hoci Cymru would like to thank the volunteers who supported these efforts, without whom this wonderful engagement truly wouldn't have been possible, as well as partners who worked with us to offer these opportunities.