Witham Hockey Club celebrates 100 years with tournaments

The clubhouse on Maldon Road saw a weekend of socialising and reminiscing to mark the start of their centenary celebrations.

Witham Hockey Club was joined by teams across Essex and further who travelled for two tournaments, with some even travelling from Australia and Wales.

The festivities started with a Walking Hockey tournament where six teams battled it out: Chairpersons VII, Lin Ward’s Memorial VII, The Noughties Beavers, Dad’s and Bab’s Army, Essex Vets, and Maldon.

Tournament - The hockey club celebrated its 100th year with a tournament between teams from Essex and beyond (Image: Witham Hockey Club) MP Dame Priti Patel blasted a horn to start the tournament, congratulating the club and listening to the many stories it had to tell.

After several games and a proper catch up for some older players, The Noughties Beavers won the Centenary Walking Mixed 7s cup in the afternoon’s Cup league, with Maldon emerging victorious in the Plate league.

The next day saw a Mixed 7s tournament on Saturday, where ten teams competed to be crowned champions.

One team saw Witham Town Mayor, Councillor Lucy Barlow, compete as a keen hockey player and umpire herself.

Proud - The Elegant Eagles cheered as they lifted the special Centenary Cup (Image: Witham Hockey Club)

After active days playing under the sun, the evening events saw everyone party the night away in a marquee with a bar equipped with ales, beers and ciders that were supplied for the weekend.

Tournament organiser Kris Baker said: “This event is the epitome of what Witham Hockey Club is to me, a fantastic weekend of hockey and socialising to kick off the start of our Centenary season.

“Thank you to all that attended, volunteered their time, and otherwise helped make the event such a great success.”

Happy - Everyone had a fantastic weekend (Image: Witham Hockey Club) Jane Bellehewe, club chairman, said: “To everyone who supported the Centenary weekend’s events in whatever way, thank you.

“I couldn’t be happier with how the event ran and the weather was so kind ot us.

“Let’s try and maintain the support we had this weekend through the season- for the club, for the committee, for captains and for teammates.”

No matter the skill level, Witham Hockey Club would love for people to join them.

Ladies training is on Tuesdays at 8pm, men’s on Tuesday’s at 8pm, and juniors’ on Sunday at 10am, all at Witham Sports Ground.