Season Highlights

A. SEASON SUMMARY

🔹 2025/26 Season Overview

The 2025/26 season was another outstanding year for Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club.

From European success and international representation to junior pathway achievements and Talent Academy development, the club continued to demonstrate its position as one of England's leading hockey clubs.

More than 1,000 members participated across junior, senior, masters and performance hockey programmes during the season. Across every section of the club, players, coaches, volunteers and supporters contributed to an environment where participation, development and excellence continue to thrive.

The season will be remembered most notably for the Women's 1s securing a second successive European title, the Men's 2s winning their league and gaining promotion to National League Division One South, and the U18 Boys successfully defending their England Hockey Tier 1 National Cup title.

🔹 Club Structure

• Senior Performance Hockey – 4 Men's and Women's England Hockey Premier Division & National League programmes
• Senior Hockey – 11 Men's and Women's teams competing across London Hockey Leagues
• Masters Hockey – 3 masters teams (O40, O50 and O60) competing in the London Hockey Leagues
• Junior Hockey – 28 Junior teams: one of England's largest junior sections

B. FEATURE STORIES

🔹 Back-to-Back European Champions – Women's 1s

The defining achievement of the season came in Vienna, where Hampstead & Westminster Women's 1s successfully retained the EuroHockey Club Trophy.

Having entered the competition as defending champions, the squad once again demonstrated the quality, resilience and togetherness that have become hallmarks of the programme. Competing against some of Europe's strongest club sides, the team produced another outstanding campaign to bring European silverware back to Paddington Recreation Ground.

Winning a European title is an exceptional achievement. Retaining it places this group among the most successful teams in the club's history.

The success reflects not only the commitment of the players and coaches but also the wider club community whose support underpins elite performance.

"Back-to-back winners, on and off the pitch."

🔹 Men's 2s Promotion

The Men's 2s enjoyed a historic season, winning the National League Conference East title and securing promotion to National League Division One South for the first time. Led by a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, the side established itself as one of the strongest 2s teams in the country.

🔹 Back-to-Back U18 Boys National Champions

The U18 Boys successfully defended their England Hockey Tier 1 National Cup title, defeating Repton School to secure consecutive national championships and further demonstrating the strength of the club's junior performance pathway.

🔹 Youth Player Integration

The season also saw increasing integration of junior talent into senior performance hockey, including a first for the club when three youth players (Gabriella Giles, Izzy Earl & Zoey Scrutton) appeared together for the Women's 1s in Premier Division competition.

🔹 James Oates Appointed Junior Head of Performance

The club was delighted to welcome Great Britain international James Oates as Junior Head of Performance.

James brings extensive experience from international hockey and the England Hockey League Premier Division and has already made a significant impact across the junior and Talent Academy programmes.

His appointment further strengthens the connection between junior development and senior performance hockey and reinforces the club's commitment to providing the highest quality coaching environment for aspiring young players.

🔹 U19 Boys play in the EHCO Trophy at SV Kampong

After winning the National Tier 1 Cup Final as U18 Boys last season, HWHC secured the English spot in the annual EHCO Trophy alongside The Netherlands (Rotterdam), Germany (Wespen), Spain (RC Polo), Belgium (Waterloo Ducks) and South Africa.

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C. CLUB MILESTONES

• More than 1,000 members across all sections
• 46 London Hockey selections
• 28 Talent Academy selections
• 9 England U16/U18 trialists
• 27% of junior members competing at county level or above
• Successful international junior tour programme
• Continued growth across junior and performance hockey
• First junior team sponsor: Harris Balcombe (U14 Boys)
• First performance player sponsors: Lime Licensing Group & Major panel Club (Esme Burge)
• 1894 Club Members: 10
• 1894 Network Members: 35
• 1894 Society Members: 8
• Alumni & Supporters Members: 170

D. HEADLINE ACHIEVEMENTS

🏆 EuroHockey Club Trophy Winners (Women's 1s)

⭐ Holly Hunt named EuroHockey Player of the Tournament

🎉 Men's programme celebrates 25 consecutive Premier Division seasons

🥈 Women's 1s finish second in Premier Division

🥉 Women's 1s finish third in Championship Play-Offs

🏑 Men's 1s finish fourth in Premier Division

🏆 Men's 2s win EHL Conference East and secure promotion to EHL Division One South

🏆 U18 Boys retain England Hockey Tier 1 National Cup

🏑 First participation in the EHCO U19 European Club Tournament

🏑 Three junior players represent the Women's 1s in Premier Division competition

🏑 Women's indoor team win Division Two South

🏑 Men's indoor team retain Premier Division status

🏑 U18 Boys play the Australian Hockeyroos ahead of the FIH Pro League

E. PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

🔹 Senior Performance Hockey

The Women's 1s built on previous success by retaining the EuroHockey Club Trophy, further establishing the club's reputation on the European stage.

The Women’s 1s finished second in the EHL Premier Division regular season, and third in the EHL Premier Division playoffs.

The Men’s 1s finished fourth in the EHL Premier Division regular season, and fourth in the EHL Premier Division playoffs.

The Men’s 2s won the EHL National League Conference East Division, and in doing so have gained promotion to National League Division One South. HWHC is one of only two clubs in the country to have Men’s teams competing in the two top divisions of the England Hockey national leagues.

The Women’s 2s finished third in the EHL National League Conference East Division.

🔹 Talent Pathway Success

The strength of the HWHC development pathway was evident throughout the season.

A total of 46 players were selected for London Hockey squads, with a further 11 invited to attend additional selection trials. Twenty-eight players were selected into Talent Academy programmes, while nine players progressed to England U16 and U18 trials.

Perhaps most impressively, 27% of HWHC junior members now compete at county level or above.

These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of a pathway that supports players from their first experience of hockey through to national and international representation.

🔹 Talent Academy

The HWHC Talent Academy enjoyed another successful season.

The programme continues to provide ambitious players with a challenging and supportive performance environment and remains an important part of the England Hockey player pathway.

Strong representation within both London Hockey and England pathways reflects the quality of the programme and the commitment of players and coaches alike.

F. JUNIOR & TALENT SECTION

🔹 Junior Hockey

Junior hockey remains at the heart of the club.

Hundreds of young players participated in weekly coaching, league hockey, national competitions, camps and development programmes throughout the season.

The continued success of HWHC juniors at county, London Hockey, Talent Academy and England pathway level demonstrates the strength of the club's long-term player development model.

🔹 Developing the Next Generation

The 2025/26 season was another exceptional year for junior and Talent Academy hockey.

Highlights included:

• 46 London Hockey selections
• 28 Talent Academy selections
• 9 England U16/U18 trialists
• Three junior squads competing in The Hague
• Continued success across county, regional and national competitions
• The club managed six teams for the London Youth Games, representing Westminster, Camden and Kensington & Chelsea

🔹 Junior Tour to The Hague

Three HWHC performance squads travelled to The Hague during the summer for a memorable pre-season tour.

The U14 Boys, U16 Boys and U16 Girls experienced Dutch hockey culture first-hand, competing against leading Dutch opposition while building friendships and creating lasting memories.

Tours remain an important part of the HWHC experience, helping players develop independence, resilience and teamwork both on and off the pitch.

The club thanks the coaches, team managers, volunteers and parents who helped make the tour such a success.

G. INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS & COACHING EXCELLENCE

🔹 13 international players and coaches delivering sessions across the club

The club continues to benefit from an outstanding coaching and playing environment, supported by current and former international players and coaches.

These role models contribute extensively across junior, Talent Academy, senior and camp programmes, providing players with direct access to elite-level experience and expertise.

The connection between international hockey and grassroots development remains one of the defining strengths of Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club.

Great Britain & England: Olivia Hamilton, Holly Hunt, Miriam Pritchard, James Oates, Rupert Shipperley

England: Tom Crowson, Iona Campbell, Ted Graves, Sofia Martin

Ireland: Caoimhe Byrne, Tim Cross

South Africa: Matt Guise-Brown

Wales: Hywell Jones

H. INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

🔹 International Representation

HWHC players and coaches represented multiple nations across junior, senior and masters hockey, including Great Britain, England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

🔹 Juniors - National Pathway Success

The club congratulates all players selected for National U16 and U18 trials during the season.

Selection for National trials represents a significant milestone within the national pathway and reflects years of commitment, hard work and development.

The success of these players is a source of pride for the entire club and highlights the effectiveness of the HWHC pathway from junior hockey through to national representation.

I. CLUB MOMENTS

🔹 Men's Premier Division Milestone

25 consecutive seasons in the Men's Premier Division

🔹 Indoor Hockey Success

The Men's indoor side retained its place in the National Premier Division while the Women's indoor team won Division Two South. 

🔹 Tours

Junior & Talent Academy international tours

🔹 In Memoriam

Chris Elliott Trophy introduced: awarded for outstanding contribution by a Master's member

🔹 Club Leadership

Earl Griffith succeeded Osman Rankin as Club Chairman following many years of outstanding service from Oz across playing, coaching, officiating and club leadership roles.

J. COMMUNITY, FUNDRAISING & SUPPORT

🔹 Thank you!

Behind every success on the pitch is a community of people who make hockey possible.

The club remains enormously grateful to its volunteers, sponsors, alumni, parents, supporters and donors whose contributions enable Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club to provide opportunities for more than 1,000 members each season.

Whether supporting junior development, Talent Academy programmes, facility improvements, bursaries or performance hockey, this support remains fundamental to the long-term success of the club.

The achievements of 2025–26 are a collective accomplishment and reflect the strength, generosity and commitment of the entire HWHC community.

🔹 Bursuries & Support

• The club provided more than 10 bursaries to support junior players and their parents

🔹 Fundraising & Support

• £17,000 raised at Annual Fundraising Dinner
• £65,000 raised via 1894 Club Members (incl. Gift Aid)
• Additional £10,000 via donations & matched funding (incl. Gift Aid)

🔹 Partnerships

• Ongoing: Mountview Capital, Wolfpack Bars, Willow Tree Dental, Harris Balcombe, Hawkinsport, Adidas
• New: Lime Licensing Group & Major Padel Club (player sponsors)
• 1894 Network: Athlete Origin, The Portfolio Group
• Pitch & Facilities: Everyone Active, UCS School, Mill Hill School, Highgate School
• Local: The Carlton, The Prince Alfred