Hockey Wales

General information

The Sport of Hockey

Hockey has been around for over 4,000 years, and variations of the sport can be seen in many diverse cultures around the world. Carvings have been found depicting hockey-like games from ancient Egypt and Greece.

The word ‘Hockey’ is thought to have evolved from the Middle French word ‘hoquet’, meaning a shepherd’s stave. Because these had curved or hooked ends, the name likely came from the appearance resembling these staves.

The first recorded use of the modern word is from a Royal Proclamation by King Edward III of England in 1363. This document actually banned several sports, including hockey.

The modern forms of Hockey that we know and love today really only began to grow from the English public school system of the 19th Century. The first recognised Hockey Club began in 1849 in London and it was only a matter of time until Wales became involved, with hockey introduced around the 1890s.

Over the years, hockey became a popular and successful sport in British schools and universities, both with males and females.

Hockey in Wales

Hockey is enjoyed the world over and Wales has always enjoyed a long and rich association with the game. The country holds the honour of hosting the first ever international match in 1895. Wales played Ireland, losing 3 - 0.

Welsh hockey continued to grow from this, with the Welsh Hockey Association founded the next year. This was soon followed in 1897 by the Welsh Women’s Hockey Association. This worked to actively promote and develop the game throughout Wales and even further afield.

Records dating to the 1908 Olympic Games actually show that Wales actually represented itself as a nation for hockey, rather than under the banner of Great Britain.

Hockey became an important element within education establishments over the decades, being a sport than many people were able to participate in and try.

Keeping in line with the values that hockey should be a supportive and collaborative sport that anyone can play, the Welsh Hockey Union was founded in 1996. This merged the existing Hockey and Women’s Hockey Associations.

In 2011, our operating name was changed to Hockey Wales. We currently operate all aspects of Hockey in diverse locations from schools and clubs to colleges and universities.

We support coaching and umpiring and even take on international commitments, being a proud member of Great Britain Hockey.