BROMSGROVE Hockey Club are celebrating the unexpected news of promotion for their ladies first XI, who will now be playing in the Midland Region Hockey Women’s League West in the 2019/20 season.
The ladies were made to deal with the heartbreak of missing out on promotion back in April, despite beating leaders Worcester 2s on the final day of the Worcestershire Womens Hockey League Division 1 season.
Bromsgrove finished level with Worcester on 42 points, but ultimately missed out on the title and promotion on goal difference.
However, in a bizarre turn of events, Worcester 2s rejected the opportunity of promotion, meaning the league instead turned to Bromsgrove to fulfil the place in the higher division.
Accepting the offer, Bromsgrove now look forward to a trip to Worcester 1s on the opening day of the season in September, which adds to the feelgood factor currently emanating around the club.
Announcing profits at their recent AGM, the club have made investment into new kits that will be universally adorned by all of the club’s men’s, women’s and junior sides, plus spectator benches around the main pitch, and radio headsets for umpires – improving the officiating of matches.
Additionally, Bromsgrove are actively encouraging people to join the umpiring course currently held at the club, which follows on from the successful ‘Go for Goal’ campaign previously hosted by the club – receiving acclaim from England Hockey.
Elsewhere, the club are making waves on a worldwide scale, with walking hockey – founded by club coach Alan Gormley in Bromsgrove, continuing to spread globally.
Speaking on the success of the game so far, Gormley said: “There are now plans for the game to start being played in Canada, Scotland and Dubai, with two more clubs now playing the sport in Australia, a family tournament in Malta being held, and several clubs in England being in contact.
“There is a visit being planned for a meeting with the International Hockey Federation in Lausanne in Autumn, and with USA Field Hockey next year – so our club is now internationally famous.”
Building on the success of the adaptation of the sport, Bromsgrove Hockey Club are set to host the first Bromsgrove Walking Hockey Festival on Sunday June 16 (3pm), with sides from the Midlands and Cheshire set to take part.
It kicks off a big summer of hockey for the club, who are playing host to the England Mixed Hockey team for training at the club’s facilities and a match, followed by a mixed hockey tournament on June 30.
A Hockey for Heroes fundraising day then takes place on August 31, following the success of the previous event in February.
Bromsgrove Hockey Club are keen to find additional sponsors to continue the progress being made, and ask anyone interested in sponsoring or volunteering at the club to get in touch by email at [email protected], or on 07588 051515.
