Hockey club makes appeal for new players

Although the club has a buoyant junior section, its adult teams continue to struggle for numbers as the pulls of college, work and family commitments see people drift away from the sport and not return.

Without sufficient numbers, the number of adult teams might have to be trimmed and that's a situation officials want to avoid.

Chairman James Swinscoe said: "It is not difficult to see that all teams within our club are affected by the lack of playing personnel.

"We are not alone in this matter. At a recent meeting with Sheffield Hallam University, they too are concerned with falling numbers. Their intake of players this year has been very low and both ourselves and the university are working together to produce a strategy capable of addressing this problem."

After an enforced move to Sheffield, Rotherham Hockey Club is re-established back in the town at its revamped former base at Aurora, now part of the revamped Sheffield University Sports Park.

A friendly, welcoming club that welcomes new faces, male or female, Rotherham want a thriving senior section to sit alongside its successful U12s-U16s junior teams.

The sport also offers obvious social and health benefits.

The club's development officer, Ben Davis, works in schools and beyond to raise the profile of the club. With the help of colleague Julie Rayner, grant support is also being sought.

Informal sessions for adults are held at the club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7pm.

Junior coaching for 5-16-year-olds is on Sundays (10am-midday) for U10s, U12s, U14s and U16s.

Satellite sessions for 11-18 year-olds are held at Wickersley School on Mondays (7pm-8pm).

For further details contact www.rotherhamhc.org.uk