Fareham Hockey Club celebrates 125 years with tournament
An action packed weekend for the Henry Cort School based club kicked off their celebrations as they enter their 125th season of existence since the club's founding in 1900!
With 14 teams in attendance from near and far; the mixed tournament was the grand unveilling orchestrated as the opening event for what is set to be a busy season of celebrations and community work. Over the two days of celebration there was a friendly mixed tournament with refreshments and food, commemorative merchandise as well as entertainment in the form of a live band and DJ for the Saturday night social.
A testament to the community spirit which the club prides itself on; it took the combined efforts of over 50 volunteers over the two days managed by husband and wife duo Andrew & Emma Jackson. 'Emma and Andrew have been stalwarts of the club for many years and they should take immense pride in the success of this event' remarked Club Communications Manager Chris Tagg 'We really are a club that prides ourself on our connection to the local community, the amount of willing volunteers to help run this event is a testament to that'.
Head of the 125 Year Management Committee, Nigel Cook commented:
'I'm thrilled that the event ran so smoothly; with it being our first one of the season there were always going to be a few nerves worrying if we'd organised everything but to see so many happy faces on the day makes it all worthwhile. To have teams come from all over, including two from Crowborough and one from Bristol really drives home the importance and connection of what we call the Hockey Family. This was a great day for the club and our sport.'
Looking to the future Fareham are showing no signs of slowing down with further planned free outreach into local schools to encourage more young people to take up the sports as well as litter picking, elderly afternoon tea club and what a currently touted as an 'End of Season Spectacular'.