We spoke to Andrea, one of last year’s Back to Hockey girls, and asked her to tell us about her experience…

How did you hear about Back to Hockey?

“It must have been around March or April 2015 when I was approached by Becky (who plays for the club) about getting back into hockey.  She knew that I had previously played hockey and been involved with coaching groups of children at the school where we both work”. 

Had you played hockey before?

“My previous experience of hockey was playing as a schoolgirl for Castle Ladies, Rotherham and South Yorkshire but subsequently stopped playing due to a knee injury and to pursue my other hobby of playing in a brass band.  The last time I picked up a hockey stick to play competitively was at the age of 16 – 15 years ago!”

What made you come along?

“Becky continued to mention the Back to Hockey sessions that were being organised and I finally decided to give it a go”

Were you nervous?

“Initially I was incredibly nervous with my thoughts including:

I can’t find my hockey stick – all I’ve got is a really small child’s one!

What if other people have all the proper up-to-date gear?

I’m not sure what the rules are now.

I don’t know anyone else there.

What if we need to work with a partner?”

What was it like?

“When I arrived at Worksop College, I met Esther and Katie, who were going to coach all the sessions, as well as a few other women looking equally as nervous as me.  I was relieved to see that, like me, some others had no stick and no fancy equipment but this was not a problem as all the necessary gear was provided.”  

She continued, “The sessions were organised in a fun, light-hearted way but were also challenging and progressive enough for everyone to feel a sense of achievement over the weeks that we attended.  At the end of each session, the regular players arrived ready to begin their training, which felt a little intimidating at first, but I soon realised that they were there to be supportive and make us all feel included as part of their club.” 

What happened after Back to Hockey?

“After the last session, I was given an invitation to play a friendly game for the 4th team and attend regular weekly training.  I immediately felt valued as part of the club and the Back to Hockey sessions made me feel that I had enough recent experience and confidence to have a go.  A few weeks and training sessions later, I was taken-aback to be asked to play for the 2nd team.  I have loved my first season playing hockey for Worksop and now can’t imagine not playing hockey in the future.”

Find out all about this year’s Back to Hockey sessions here

Read Mel’s story