Small-sided Hockey to make debut at University

The Small Sided Hockey project, funded by Sport England and delivered in partnership with England Hockey, is a new initiative designed to increase retention and participation of University students in competitive hockey of all levels.

The game is designed to be as true to the normal rules of 11-a-side hockey as possible, but with some unique attacking twists to promote a high-scoring and fast alternative. The format is also designed to make the most out of available facilities, with multiple matches being played on a single pitch, thereby maximising the number of players that can compete in each session.

Hockey remains the second largest team sport in BUCS with over 550 men’s and women’s teams playing in 7 tiers of the league structure. The University of Exeter women’s and men’s hockey club collectively fielded 11 teams into BUCS 2016/17, with the men’s 1st team finishing 2nd in South A and the women’s 1st team finishing 1st in South A.

With the end of both the BUCS season and the Hockey IMS leagues for 2016-2017, the University of Exeter has taken this opportunity to extend hockey playing opportunities by launching small sided hockey into the term 3 IMS programme. The latest edition hockey goals designed from England hockey, balls, bibs and pitch separators to create three pitches out of the former hockey water pitch, have all been secured.

Sports Participation Officer, Sarah Bishton, said: “We are excited to offer this new hockey format to our students. As a University, we are always looking at new ways in which to encourage sporting participation, especially with Hockey being one of our most popular sports on campus.”

“The initial fixtures will run during the exam period, providing students with an opportunity to take a break from their studies and engage in fast paced, high scoring hockey in a social setting.”

With 3 games running at once, up to 2 substitutes per team and back to back games enables more social interaction between teams and the 6-a-side format and rules of attacking make playing more exciting through its fast pace and high scoring nature.

A practice session, hosted by the Hockey club, will take place on Friday 5th May, 5.30pm on the water pitch (Streatham Campus). The session is open to all students with no previous experience required. The league commences on Sunday 7th May for 5 weeks of fixtures between 18.00 and 21.00.

Please email imsport@exeter.ac.uk for more information and to enter a team. Discounted entrance fees may be available for previous IMS teams, subject to availability. A maximum of 8 players and a minimum of 6 players are allowed per team with 2 females and 2 males required on the pitch at any one time.