The university’s hockey club are one of the most dedicated on campus, a group that seems more like a family on match day than just a team.
The club had a mainly positive campaign last year, with both the men’s and women’s 1sts holding their own in difficult leagues against strong opposition.
The men’s team also managed a commendable cup campaign, making through to the last 16 of the Northern conference cup, while the Women’s shared the same fortune, battling through to the last 16.
The men’s 2nd team won their league achieving promotion to round off a great year for them, while the women’s 2nds finished in a solid third place.
At Roses the women’s 1sts were edged out narrowly by Lancaster who came from behind to win the match by two goals to one, while the men’s game also ended in frustration, with the team losing 5-4 after Lancaster were awarded a penalty in the dying stages of the match.
Vision spoke to the club’s male president Tiarnan Cotter to find out what freshers interested in joining the club should know.
“We train on Monday evenings on the JLD which is behind the sports centre. We have recently had promotions in both bucs and yorkshire league and have a whole range of standards from player who have never picked up a stick to national league representatives.
‘Whether you’re a social members or a full blow awesome/sick/incred hockey player with mad skills or never picked up a hockey stick in your entire life- you’ll all be welcomed into the warm bosom of University life and we’ll give you the guidelines and instructions of how to bring out the best of your time in York.’
A member of the club summed up how they felt about the importance of joining a sports club at university very simply: ‘There are many things at University that one may regret- that extra shot, that night when you really shouldn’t have gone out or that module choice that was quite frankly utter rubbish, but joining UYHC will be a decision you’ll never look back on. Give it a go.’
Visit the UYHC site at www.uyhc.org.uk for more information.
Another great reason to join the hockey club, particularly for those of the female gender, is the sheer amount of legwork I will put in to pursue you and inevitably be shot down. If you love the thrill of being pursued by a man with a handlebar (ish) moustache then this is the club for you.
Yours Faithfully
Samuel Richardson
For those of you who are a bit intimidated – worried that Mr. Richardson’s bronzed abs and and silky facial hair is somewhat out of your league, don’t fret.
You can always scoop Fred Charlton off the floor of Willow instead, don’t let the dribble put you off.