- Community
Community at the Club of the Year
When Durham City Hockey Club was announced as England Hockey Club of the Year 2025, the award recognised far more than on-pitch success. It celebrated decades of volunteer commitment and a unique partnership between grassroots hockey, Durham University and the wider city. At the heart of that story is a club-wide commitment to community, development and partnership that has shaped Durham City Hockey Club over generations.
Durham City Hockey Club’s history spans decades of change and adaptation. Over time, it moved between venues, navigated shifting access to pitches and facilities, and transformed into a fully integrated organisation serving men, women and juniors.
A pivotal moment came in the 1980s when Durham City’s men’s and women’s sections formally merged, laying the foundations for a more inclusive and sustainable club structure. That collaborative approach has continued to shape the club’s identity and direction ever since, closely aligning with England Hockey’s long-term vision for the sport.
The results have been transformative. Students who do not make university teams now find a competitive and welcoming home at Durham City, often staying with the club throughout their time in Durham. The club has grown significantly, now fielding multiple men’s and women’s senior sides, while the women’s section in particular continues to go from strength to strength.
In recent years, that collaborative ethos has intensified. Durham City, Durham University Hockey Club and the local community came together to form Durham Hockey Juniors, creating a shared pathway for young players while strengthening ties between university sport and the city club.
Durham Hockey Juniors currently supports around 200 young players, making it one of the strongest junior sections in the North East. This is largely thanks to a number of partnerships, the club works closely with local schools and neighbouring clubs. Alongside running festivals, supporting mixed teams and trialling summer leagues to keep players engaged year-round.
A clear pathway now exists from junior hockey through to senior teams, with talented young players progressing into adult hockey while still being supported at the right pace. Elite senior players actively contribute to junior development, reinforcing a club culture where success is shared across generations.
Winning Club of the Year
The announcement of Durham City Hockey Club as England Hockey Club of the Year 2025 came as a surprise to many within the club:
“To be standing on that stage with the trophy was amazing,” Junior Chair Dave Miller says. “To see a club I’ve been involved with since the 1970s recognised nationally, that was very special.”
The award also acknowledged the efforts of a proactive club committee and key leaders who have driven progress in recent years. Chairperson and club captain Laurie Hammond is singled out by Miller for moving the club forward with a clear development plan, particularly around coaching and long-term sustainability.
Importantly, the recognition reflects not just Durham City’s internal achievements, but its role within the wider hockey ecosystem of the North East.
Yet despite the accolades, the club is clear that its work is far from finished.
One major ambition is securing a more permanent home, something which would allow the club to deepen its social impact and expand its junior and community programmes.
Another priority is coaching development. Plans are in place to align with England Hockey’s Junior Hockey Framework, empowering student coaches, parents and volunteers with accessible resources and structured support. The aim is not only to grow participation in Durham, but to equip future coaches who will take their experience back to clubs across the country.
“Hockey offers so much,” Miller says. “Teamwork, confidence, community, it helps young people grow into better citizens.”
Alongside Miller’s long-term perspective is the voice of the current playing generation. Peter Barrett, Durham City Men’s Club Captain, has seen the club evolve rapidly during his time in Durham.
“we’re in a really good spot, all the teams are much more social and connected. It’s been great to see the evolution of the club. Now you hear about Durham City in all sorts of channels, you see it on social media, it’s become much more prolific.”
He credits much of that progress to sustained leadership. “It’s a credit to Laurie and the committee who’ve been here longer than me,” Barrett says. “They’ve done a really good job over an extended period of time. It would’ve been a shame to see anything other than this for the club.”
As men’s club captain, Barrett has also witnessed Durham City’s growing ambition on the pitch. The men’s first team are pushing into increasingly competitive regions, attracting players from as far afield as York, drawn by the club’s development culture and pathway.
Off the pitch, Barrett highlights flagship events such as the club’s Easter Festival, now the largest hockey festival in the North East. “It’s a multi-day event, really welcoming and fun, and it brings everyone together,” he says. “It’s a massive asset to the region and it keeps growing every year.”
Looking ahead, Barrett echoes Miller’s aspirations for independence. “Like any club, the goal is your own space, your own pitch and clubhouse,” he explains. “We’ve grown so much that fighting for pitch time is a real challenge. The question now is how we give players and teams what they need as expectations rise.”
For Barrett, the England Hockey Club of the Year award has been about more than silverware. “It’s visibility and recognition,” he says. “The North East can be forgotten sometimes. This shows people nationally that we’re here, we’re growing, and we shouldn’t be counted out.”
Durham City’s Club of the Year award is, ultimately, a recognition of a club built on partnership, passion and persistence, strengthened by generations of volunteers, players and leaders, with community at its core and the next generation firmly in its sights.
Nominations are now open for the England Hockey Awards 2026, and will close on 12th April 2026 at 23:59