Champions crowned as Merthyr plays host to National Indoor Finals

The weekend of 17th and 18th January saw the culmination of a fantastic campaign for a host of clubs across Wales, as the National Indoor Championship and Trophy events came to a close in Merthyr.

Well done to everyone who took part over the course of the tournaments and reached the Finals weekend, and a special congratulations to our National Champions.

It was particularly pleasing to see some new teams at the Finals, while Gwent and Dowlais featured after several years away.

In the Women’s events, Wrexham Glyndwr 1 claimed the Trophy title while Cardiff & Met took home the Championship crown; and in the Men’s events, Cardiff & Met were double champions as their 1 and 2 teams won the Championship and Trophy respectively.

Excitingly, Cardiff & Met’s men’s and women’s 1’s teams will go on to represent Wales at the respective 2027 EuroHockey Indoor Competitions, courtesy of their success at the National Indoor Finals in Merthyr.

The weekend started with the Women’s events, which brought an array of thrilling action.

The Trophy was decided between Wrexham Glyndwr and Cardiff & Met 2, in what looked like it was going to be a tight affair. Following both teams’ comfortable victories over Penarth, however, Wrexham would go on to claim a fantastic result to lift the Trophy, overcoming Cardiff & Met 2, 5-1.

In the Championship, Cardiff & Met were not to be beaten as their 1’s team ran riot to become National Champions. Beating Gwent 4-1 first of all, they then saw off Dowlais with an incredible 12-3 victory, a fantastic watch for the spectators and a worthy final game for the dominant champions.

Sunday then saw the Men battle it out, with spectators being treated to more exciting action as Cardiff & Met dominated the silverware.

In the Trophy, Cardiff & Met 2 sailed through as they beat Gwent 7-1 before dispatching Swansea 2 5-0 to earn their title.

Meanwhile, in the Championship, Cardiff & Met 1 played out one of the games of the whole weekend with Dysynni, beating their north-Walian opposition 7-5. Their subsequent 8-0 win over Swansea 1 ensured they’d go home with the Championship crown.

Hoci Cymru would like to congratulate everyone who took part in such a brilliant showcase of hockey, with such a range of ages and skills taking part and providing a great spectacle.

A big thank you must also go to everyone who made the events possible, including the Halo Leisure team at Merthyr Leisure Centre and of course our umpires and officials.