Welcome to the best club at BL. We are one of the most popular clubs at Barts, who is proud of their traditions and come together to form one of the closest, friendliest clubs you could join as you start your time here. Whether on the pitch, at the Griff Inn or anywhere inbetween, BLMHC has a community capable of making sure you have the best time here at this great university.
We welcome players of all abilities and commitment, as we play in a number of different leagues (BUCS, LUSL, UH) across our two teams that play every week. So, whether you consider yourself a pro or a total beginner, come along and we will find the perfect spot for you. If that doesn't already tempt you, we play at the Olympic Park, on the pitches that hosted the matches at London 2012, which makes our club experience just that tiny bit sweeter.
Socially, we are one of the most regular clubs seen at Tables, but we also host a number of other events throughout the year that will ensure you get the best experience from BLMHC and make lasting friendships with your teammates on and off the pitch. We will be hosting a range of alcohol and non-alcohol events every month so everyone will be welcome to join with us and get to know all of the boys despite the current situation.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact one of the committee members on the information provided below. We look forward to seeing you in September!
England Hockey has given us the all clear for play so, assuming there are no further lockdowns, our Freshers’ Taster session will take place during the first couple weeks of term. We will have the details for you at the virtual Freshers’ Fayre! Everyone is welcome in BLMHC, whether you have played hockey all your life or have never picked up a hockey stick before! We will have all the equipment for you to try your hand at the sport. If you then decide to join the best club at Barts and the London you will have opportunities to play weekly matches no matter your level of hockey, and we will provide you with the support and training to help you progress as far as you believe you can.
Training
We are planning on training going on as per usual, with extra precautions in place to keep everyone safe, as requested by England Hockey and by QM. These sessions will take place Mondays 6-7:30pm at Lee Valley Hockey Centre
Equipment: Sports clothing and astros/trainers. Hockey stick, shin guards and mouthguard ideal but not essential.
Commitment levels required: The 1st team are looking for a decent level of commitment as we are aiming for promotion this season. The 2nd team is more relaxed but is also a fun, competitive environment for people to play hockey in. We also recognise that everyone is here to do the best in their respective degree so we never ask people to prioritise hockey over their studies.
Competitions
*COVID-19 update* BUCS and LUSL competition will not be commencing until second term due to their decision following lockdown and the new precautions. However, BLMHC have organised the London Universities Hockey League with some of the other universities to provide weekly competition in an informal league to be played in the first term. We will be playing friendly but fierce competition locally from October, meaning you will get the full hockey experience straight away, unlike at many of the other clubs
Apart from that, our first team play in a competitive league in BUCS (South East Division 3), whereas our second team is a development team playing in a lower division aimed at introducing beginners to the sport whilst competing strongly in the league. We have a brilliant head coach who is responsible for overseeing the whole club and really knows his stuff. So manyof our members have truly improved their skillsets under his leadership
Both the 1st and 2nd teams compete in BUCS and the UH (United Hospitals) Cup. There is also a mixed ability LUSL team, aimed at developing players who want to make a step up to the 1s or to enhance the skills they already have.
Matches are every Wednesday afternoon (usually anywhere between 1pm – 5pm) and occasionally on Sundays. Matches are played at various locations around London. The season goes from late September to late March.
Our home pitch is at Lee Valley in the Olympic Park. We play on an international standard pitch, which has seen the likes of the London Olympics and the Hockey World Cup hosted on it. This is the jewel in our crown and is an experience we are incredibly fortunate to be given week in week out.
Club Socials
We will keep track of the current COVID-19 restrictions, but we hope to hold a welcome event on the night of Fresher’s Fayre. Historically, we have had a whole club curry on Brick Lane but that may differ this year, in a similar guise; details will be found at our virtual stall and via our Social Secs. This will be your chance to to meet all of the club members and feel like part of this great club for the first time. During this week, we aim to hold a couple of social events to cater for both drinkers and non-drinkers to really ensure you feel settled in with us here at BLMHC.
Traditionally, we hold weekly Tables events in the Griff Inn, as well as other socials with other clubs throughout the years. However, this year means that we will be unable to do that weekly so we have decided to use it as an opportunity to alternate nights out with other more relaxed events after matches, which give a more lowkey evening, ensuring everyone will feel more welcome.
We also go on TOUR twice a year, we have one national tour and one international tour, neither of which are to be missed. They produce some of the best social moments of the year without a doubt.
How to get involved
1. Like our Facebook page and Visit our Instagram page to keep up to date with everything going on at BLMHC. Join our Facebook group to get in contact with the committee and to interact with all of our great members.
2. See us at the virtual Fresher's Fayre and look out for details of our Taster sessions in the first weeks of the year. However, if you miss those, you are more than welcome to come down to any of our Monday training sessions!
3. Purchase your subs - at the Hub (Mile End), BLSA reception (Whitechapel) or online.
4. Enjoy! Attend the training sessions and take part in the matches. Enjoy our social events and mix with our friendly, welcoming club members.
If you are an experienced hockey player please feel free to contact either the Club Captain or 1st Team captain for information regarding preseason training.
Personal Fitness
QMSU offers a gym on the Mile End campus, Qmotion, as well as a sister-gym in Charterhouse Square, Fitness to Practice, both with competitive student membership rates. This is ideal for students who want to purchase a gym membership - which is separate from a Club Sport subs - to improve and maintain peak physical fitness.
With every gym membership, you get a free 60 minute one-to-one session with trained instructors which includes:
- A personalised gym programme tailored to your own fitness goals;
- A full demonstration of exercise and techniques, and guidance on resistance machines;
- Information and advice on nutrition;
- A 60 minute review session every 6-8 weeks to re-evaluate and re-customise a new programme to avoid plateaus.
Committee details
President - Eliot Siggs (07506554349 / ha17145@qmul.ac.uk)
1st XI Captain - Ashvin Kuri (ha17192@qmul.ac.uk)
2nd XI Captain - Amaan Abbas (ha19243@qmul.ac.uk)