Article three of the Tilsley Times, written by Abingdon Hockey Club
The 2025/26 season has been an exciting one for Abingdon Hockey Club, with strong performances across all senior squads in the England Hockey South Central leagues. Our open/men’s, women’s and mixed teams have all delivered positive results, showcasing the depth, determination and spirit of our club.
Senior Success Across the Board
Our open/men’s 1s continue to impress, holding their place in South Central Premier Division 2 after an extraordinary three consecutive promotions in previous seasons — a remarkable rise through the leagues. The open/men’s 2s are also thriving, now competing in South Central Division 3 North following their own run of three straight league titles.
Our women’s section remains just as competitive, with all teams performing strongly in their respective divisions. The women’s 2s and 3s are building on the momentum of last year’s double promotion, proving that the growth of women’s hockey in Abingdon is only accelerating.
And of course, our mixed team continues to embody the fun, inclusive heart of the club — playing great hockey, welcoming new faces and enjoying every moment on the pitch.
Junior Hockey on the Rise
Our junior section continues to flourish, with the Avengers and Eagles squads going from strength to strength. This season has seen several U14 players stepping up to make their senior league debuts — a proud milestone for both players and coaches.
We also launched our brand-new U6s group at the start of the season, meaning we can now support young players from age 5 upwards. It’s been fantastic to see so many enthusiastic young athletes picking up a stick for the first time.
Community Engagement
Off the pitch, Abingdon HC has been busy strengthening its ties within the local community. We were delighted to host the Manor Flooring Cup summer league, where Abingdon C claimed the women’s title and Newbury B took home the men’s trophy. We also enjoyed meeting new faces and spreading the word about hockey at the Abingdon Clubs and Societies events.
Volunteer Spotlight
A huge thank you goes to all our committee members, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure fixtures are fulfilled, teams are supported and the club remains active in the community.
A special shout-out must go to Trevor Wiggins. Not only has he stepped up to support our new Women’s team, but he has also umpired an incredible 20% of all fixtures so far this season — often giving up his own playing time to make sure matches can go ahead. His dedication embodies the very best of club spirit.
Want to Get Involved?
Whether you’re interested in playing, coaching, umpiring or simply cheering from the sidelines, we’d love to welcome you. Come along to one of our weekly sessions:
- Monday evenings: Eagles’ training (ages 12-16 years)
- Tuesday evenings: Open/Men’s senior training
- Wednesday evenings: Women’s senior training
- Saturday mornings: Match day — come and watch!
- Sunday mornings: Avengers’ training (ages 5-12 years)
Abingdon Hockey Club is proud to be a thriving, friendly and ambitious part of the local sports community. We hope to see you pitch-side soon! Until then, check us out at abingdonhockey.org.uk or email us at [email protected] to find out more.
