Hockey

                                               A unique programme led by a world class coach

                                       Durham University Hockey Club, sponsored by Accenture

Durham University Hockey Club are one of just three University clubs in Britain to have a male and female team in the England Hockey National League. Last year the women's first team were crowned England Hockey National League North Champions, whilst the men finished third in their equivalent competition. The club prides itself on achieving the essential balance between sporting excellence and social involvement with the highest number of teams of any Durham University Sports Club with four men’s and four women’s sides competing regularly in the BUCS and England Hockey leagues. The BUCS programme is headlined by both the male and female first teams who are both in the Northern Premier League. The men reached the semi finals of the British University Championships in 2008/09 whilst the women were crowned National University Champions just two years ago.

In recent months the club has been celebrating on a number of fronts. 2008/09 Durham graduate Loren Sherer was selected for the England under 21 World Championship squad and was a regular for England throughout the event whilst 2008/09 Durham University Sportsman of the Year, Jamie Cachia, was called up to the Senior Scotland sqaud. Within the same time span Durham University was also awarded Junior Regional Performance Academy status, rounding off a great few months for the club.  Durham University is not an England Hockey ‘Performance’ Centre but we continue to develop players of the highest standard that can compete at international level and beyond. We have a unique programme which is attractive to players from all around Britain. Our Olympic standard waterbased surface and high specification sand dressed pitch ensure that our players also get to train and compete on some of the best facilities available.

About our coaches  

Gavin Featherstone (Senior Coach)

• Ex England Hockey Captain
• USA and South African Olympic Coach
• Durham Alumni

Gavin is supported by full time Assistant Coach, Michael Boal who works with Gavin to develop and deliver the performance programme.

Michael Boal (Assistant Coach)

• Birmingham University graduate
• England under 18 and under 21 squad member
• England Hockey Level 2 coach
• Former Olton & W.W. National League coach
• Former Birmingham University Student Club coach

Hockey Scholarships are available for players of age group international standard and above. For more information about Scholarships and the Elite Athlete Performance Programme, please click here.

                                      Scholarship athlete and Scotland under 21 international Dan Coultas

• Full time professional coaching support
• Sports specific strength and conditioning and fitness support
• Access to nutritional guidance seminars and additional nutritional information
• Access to Connect Physical Health Centre Open Clinics and pre booked physiotherapy sessions to selected athletes
• Access to an on-site doctor to selected athletes
• Team performance and individual technique video analysis (First Team only)
• Access to a comprehensive pre-winter season, post Christmas and pre-summer season training programme
• Support in attaining sporting concessions where the performer is in good academic standing
• Lifestyle and time management support / mentoring for selected athletes

Want to know more about the Team Durham Performance programme? Please click here