Chris Lawrenson

WHERE?

Beeston HC resides at Nottingham Hockey Centre on University Boulevard at the Highfields site which currently houses six artificial turf pitches including those funded by Nottingham University and Nottingham High School. Whilst it is the largest hockey site in the world outside the Netherlands, the single most significant provision for some is going to be the Stick and Pitcher bar which boasts a viewing balcony, draught beers and food. Such are the delights of a post-training sausage sandwich and hot chocolate on a Sunday morning, it was years before my kids confessed that the hockey was a secondary concern to the snacks.

WHO?

For youngsters from as tiny as four upwards the junior setup is a huge and thriving beast with hundreds of kids. Coaching is provided by the keener members including some of the club's top players.

Juniors are incorporated in the adult league sides from age fourteen. This is the benefit of a skill-based sport; teenagers can share a pitch with adults and still contribute and develop. A number of fathers, for example, play alongside their sons - presumably doubling the joy or despair in the household depending on the results. With nine men’s teams, seven ladies’ teams, juniors, over 40s veterans and a mixed side, there’s somewhere for everyone and, with so many sides, the range of ability is huge but the passion and competition are present in every team.

WHAT’S THE VIBE?

Community. The sort of community that will support you, challenge you and laugh with you and at you. This means treating you like family, including a healthy degree of mickey-taking. Nicknames abound, and there is always recognition for the best player in a match and lighthearted nominations for anyone who has embarrassed themselves for any reason. The friendships within the club are enduring and close with multiple instances of teammates who end up as ushers and bridesmaids at each others’ weddings and godparents to each other’s’ children.

It’s not all inward-facing either: Beeston and the Nottingham Hockey Centre are also active in wider community events including partnerships with groups representing the refugee and disabled communities. It is a source of pride that Beeston not only continues to support itself as a club, but has also raised over £135,000 for charity.

WHAT IF I DON’T PLAY?

Happily there are lots of opportunities to watch high level hockey on your doorstep in Beeston including multiple international fixtures held at the Hockey Centre plus you can find live coverage of matches online on the dedicated YouTube channel Bee TV.

So, if you’re keen, competitive or simply curious, take a walk (or a tram) down to University Boulevard and see what all the fuss isn’t about.