How a North Wales hockey club are adapting their sport to meet different people’s needs

Social Hockey

Some players haven’t been very good at the not running part of walking hockey which, as you can imagine, is quite important. 

To ensure those players with more of a spring in their step can pick up the pace while others are still able to take it easy, Dysynni have offered a social hockey session to run alongside the walking hockey. 

If people want to play hockey without having to take it too seriously or just to get a bit of exercise in, they can get involved with this. Something for everyone.

Indoor Hockey

When summer draws to a close, it gets a bit colder and the nights draw in, numbers may start to dwindle. The last thing some people want to be doing is running around after a hockey ball soaking wet and shivering.

Where Dysynni see a problem, they find a solution. A winter Wednesday sees up to 20 people pile indoors to play what could be described as a form of ‘street hockey.’ You can’t lift the ball, but you can use the walls to move it. 

Mixed teams are put together and play in a round robin rotation, creating some friendly competition without needing to worry if you’re going to get a bit damp. As the street format of the sport has been such a hit, it has even become a regular fixture in the summer, too.

Summer Hockey

With the season running from September until March, hockey kit is often left lying around collecting dust in the back of the shed. But, not at Dysynni. The club realise the impact that hockey can have on young people at the club and want to keep children busy and active during the holidays. 

That is why they hold an internal 7-a-side summer hockey tournament across the school holidays. They mix and match the teams, adults and children, and play weekly matches to keep their members active and engaged in sport.

The mastermind behind these sessions is Lynda Bennett, coach of Dysnni Hockey Club. She said: “I love inspiring people to have a go and achieve what they can and have loads of fun along the way!  

“I checked up on a mum the other day after a junior tournament her son had played in. She said ‘Steffan is unrecognisable from the anxious shy little boy that started with you just over a year ago and I have you and the rest of the club to thank for that.’ How good is that!?”

Alice Gregory, Project Manager at Hockey Wales said: “Dysynni Hockey Club are the perfect example of an inclusive community hockey club - they listen to their community and tailor hockey to their needs and wants, ensuring that there are opportunities for everyone. Hockey Wales are extremely proud of Lynda and the team. The success of the club and the engagement they have with their community is a testament to every individual who make up Dysynni Hockey Club”

Do you want to offer more sessions at your club to get more people involved in your sport? Get in contact with your National Governing Body who can offer your club the support and advice you need to get these sessions up and running.