WARWICK HOCKEY CLUB

Set in the heart of Warwick, between the town's race course and its magnificent castle, lies 'The Pavilion', built in 1864 and now the home of Warwick Hockey Club.

The earliest origins of today's club can be found in the establishment of Lillington Mixed Hockey Club on January 23rd, 1897. After a break for the Great War, this was reformed as Lillington Ladies' Hockey Club which is the genesis of today's Ladies' section.

The Men's section was founded in 1920 and was originally based in Leamington, starting life as a works team and using the facilities at Lockheed (incidentally Lillington's Diamond Jubilee tournament was held in 1957 at the Lockheed facilities). Lillington used a variety of grounds until 1930 when they moved to the Kingsley School (formerly Leamington High School).

By the early 1970's, the Men's club was seeking a more secure future and moved to its current base at Warwick Sports Club on the Hampton Road in Warwick. There followed over twenty years of grass hockey and a popular annual end of season festival, which attracted teams from far and wide. With the advent of artificial pitches the festival's appeal declined.

During this time Lillington went from strength to strength and represented Warwickshire in the Midlands Clubs Championship three times from its inception in 1969. The club's Diamond Jubilee was held at the Kingsley School on 26th March 1988.

In 1989 Lillington moved to Leamington Cricket Club, and in 1992 they amalgamated with the Men to form the basis of today's club, initially becoming Lillington Warwick Ladies' Hockey Club. Following the centenary celebration in 1997, the Lillington name was dropped and Warwick Hockey Club took on its present day form.

The club now uses the excellent astroturf pitches at nearby Warwick School which offers two pitches as well as one at St. Nicholas Park, whose back drop of Warwick Castle must be one of the finest in the country!

The club regularly field five men's and four ladies' teams on Saturday afternoons and a Veteran's side in mid-week, as well as an extensive junior section. The men's first XI currently play their hockey in Midlands Premier Division and have shown considerable progress in recent seasons. This season the ladies 1st team aim to be promoted into the Midlands league too.

Crucially, the club is very aware of the importance of attracting and developing junior hockey. Up to eighty children aged between 6 and 15 years old enthusiastically gather on a Wednesday evening for mini-training presided over by qualified coaches. Details of "taster" sessions for local junior schools on Sunday mornings throughout the season will be sent out to schools and advertised in due course.

For further information please contact our chairman Kirstin Bryce.