Swansea plays host as Welsh champions crowned at National Finals

The sun shone on Swansea Bay Sports Park over the weekend of 3 and 4 May, as teams from across Wales battled it out at the National Finals.  

500 medals were distributed as 36 teams representing 13 different clubs descended onto Swansea, for what was a showcase of the talent and quality that exists across our community game.  

The National Youth Finals provided great optimism for the future, with age categories ranging from U12 to U18 competing strongly for their respective titles.  

In the U12 Girls event, Whitchurch proved too strong for their opposition as they maintained a 100% record across their three games, scoring 16 and letting in just one, to claim the title.  

On the Boys’ side, Cardiff & Met were equally dominant, scoring 22 as they won all three to claim the U12 National title. 

At U14 level, there was fantastic drama and tension throughout.  

Northop Hall Boys showed immense mental strength to claim the U14 National title in a final-game decider with Whitchurch, winning 3-1 to take the title.  

There was a maiden victory on the Girls’ side, as Pwllheli narrowly pipped Whitchurch to the U14 Girls crown. Both teams were dominant in the Finals group, ending on seven points; it was Pwllheli, though, that left victorious with their first-ever title courtesy of the one goal they scored more than their Cardiff-based rivals. 

From U16 level onward, titles were decided by straight finals following their respective, gruelling semi-final group stages. 

Cardiff & Met and Whitchurch were barely separable during the U16 Girls semi-final group stage, both finishing with seven points from their three games. Cardiff & Met, who managed clean sheets in all three of those group matches, came out on top in the final, however, beating Whitchurch 2-1 to lift the title. 

In the U16 Boys, Whitchurch went into the final as the underdog, coming second in their semi-final group with just five points. They proved too much for a group-topping Swansea, though, earning the crown with a strong 2-0 win in the final.  

Swansea’s U18 Girls had reason to go into the National Finals full of optimism, having won the competition for three consecutive years. And, after topping their semi-final group unbeaten, they went on to make it four, beating Eirias 2-0 in the final. 

Swansea’s U18 Boys would claim their National title, however, courtesy of a thrilling penalty shootout win. Despite losing to Eirias in the semi-final group stage, Swansea battled hard in their final and, after a final-quarter equaliser to draw 2-2, held their nerve to claim a 5-4 shootout victory.  

The Senior Finals proved just as enthralling, with six events packing out a captivating day of hockey.  

Bridgend 2s might’ve gone into the Women’s Challenge final flying off the back of a convincing 6-0 win over Risca 2s, but it was Fishguard and Goodwick 1s – 3-1 victors over Cardiff University 6s in the semifinal – who claimed the National title with a 2-1 win.  

In the Men’s Challenge, Dysynni 1s looked the ever-so-slightly stronger side heading into the final two, having won 6-2 and 9-0 to get there. Following their own 8-0 and 5-2 victories, though, Aber Uni 1s overcame their opposition with a dramatic late goal to take a 3-2 win to earn gold medals. 

There was also fantastic drama in the Women’s Trophy event, where a tense final between last year’s finalists would result in revenge for eventual winners Eirias 1s. After seeing a 2-1 lead pegged back by 2024 Women’s Trophy winners Bangor City 1s, Eirias would go onto claim the title with a 4-3 penalty shootout win.  

On the Men’s side, Cardiff & Met 3s flew to the Trophy title with a comprehensive 6-2 win over Eirias 1s in the final. 

And it would prove to be Cardiff & Met dominance across the Championship events, too.  

The Women’s Championship proved tight throughout and, after Cardiff & Met 1s and Penarth Ladies 1s had both won 2-0 in the final four, just one goal separated them in the final as the former ran out 2-1 winners.  

With the victory, Cardiff & Met Ladies claimed their fourth trophy of the season, adding to their indoor, league and European honours. 

Meanwhile, Cardiff & Met 1s also claimed the Men’s Championship crown, courtesy of a no-nonsense 6-1 win over Swansea 1s. This victory was also significant for the club, as it spelled the Men’s side’s second trophy of the campaign after their indoor title. 

Best of luck to the four championship finalists who will represent Wales in their respective EuroHockey Outdoor Club competitions in 2026. 

Hoci Cymru would like to congratulate everyone who took to the field over what was a glorious weekend of hockey in Swansea, as well as those that competed throughout the season.  

We would like to thank the 32 umpires and officials who made this Finals weekend possible, as well as the many fans who boosted the players and atmosphere throughout and our official hydration partner GRILLA who supported athletes with their isotonic drinks.