Durham University Hockey Club (DUHC) is one of the highest achieving hockey programmes in the UK, competing in both the BUCS national league on a Wednesday and in the England Hockey National League on a weekend which we are now proud to have four teams playing in. We are one of two Universities that can claim they have all four performance teams (Men and women 1s and 2s) in the national league.
The club prides itself on its proven success and during the last 5 years we have been:
· Awarded Number 1 Hockey University of the Year
· BUCS National League winners (2024 and 2020)
· Crowned joint BUCS champions 2020 (Men and Women)
· Promoted to the England Hockey Premier League (2019-2021)
We cater for hockey players of all abilities and boast 5 men’s and 6 women’s teams who regularly play on both a Wednesday and a Saturday. Further to this, our extensive college programme gives more players the opportunity to participate in training and matches.
We consistently support our international athletes which include alumni Jack Waller, Ollie Payne and current student, Fiona Crackles and Tess Howard, who all competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics for GB. Additionally, a large number of our current students represent their Nations at a junior level or are a part of the GB EDP programme.
Our facilities are unlike any other and we have just completed a £32million redevelopment of our Sports and Wellbeing Park. We have two world class water-based pitches and were chosen to host the Euro Qualifying tournament during the summer of 2022, of which we had four of our recent playing group representing their respective countries.
Here at Durham, we provide both a competitive but also nurturing environment and our philosophy revolves around looking after you as an individual first and foremost to ensure you excel holistically as a person, a student at the University and then also as a DUHC member.
Coaching staff:
Poppy Martin- Head Hockey Coach
Poppy joined the university in September 2024. She works within the England Hockey National Age Group programme, most recently as the England U18 Girls Assistant coach. Poppyleads our performance hockey programme for Men and Women, consisting of our Men's and Women's 1s and 2s, as well as supporting the lower teams in the club.
poppy.m.martin@durham.ac.uk
Gareth Weaver Tyler- Hockey Performance Manager
Gareth has over 20 years of international and national league coaching experience, including coaching at a number of European Championships and Commonwealth games.
Sarah Bertram - Talent Academy Manager & DUHC Assistant Coach
During her time at Durham, Sarah as lead coach for the Women’s 2s and Men’s 2s and also leads our Squad B training programme. Amongst her commitment to performance coaching in the region, Sarah is currently working with the England U18 Girls programme and runs our thriving Talent Academy (DUTA) which supports the top young hockey players from the region.
We consistently support our international athletes including alumni Jack Waller, Rhys Smith and Ollie Payne and current students Fiona Crackles and Tess Howard representing Team GB, Senior Scottish Internationals Kerry-Anne Hastings and Lorna Cruickshank, and Senior Welsh International Izzy Howell. We also have a number of athletes going through the U21 and GB Elite Development Programme.
Our facilities are unlike any other and we have just completed a £32million redevelopment of our Sports and Wellbeing Park. We have the added luxury of having two world class water-based pitches, full-time coaches with proven international experience, strength and conditioning sessions, physiotherapy treatment, psychology support and video analysis technology.
Durham University Hockey Club; 5 Men’s and 6 Women’s teams; National Premier League Club.
A reputable, high achieving and social hockey club, competing at the very highest levels across all teams.
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