Ireland's Online Resource for Parents & Teachers
| Why Play Hockey? |
The game of Hockey is played widely across the world. In Ireland it is a popular family orientated sport, played mainly in clubs by both men and women. The game is well-liked in many schools, particularly in the primary sector and offers a lifetime of both sporting and social opportunities for players, officials and administrators alike.
The rules of hockey are very similar to the rules of football except that players must use sticks instead of their feet to play the ball. There are 11 players on a team made up of a Goalkeeper, Defenders, Midfielders and Attackers. The only player on the field who is allowed to use their feet and hands as well as their stick is the goalkeeper.
The first men's international match was held between England and Ireland on 16th March
1895 at Richmond Hockey Club
Today, field hockey is played all over the world by a variety of countries and field hockey is currently recognised as the second largest team sport in the world, after football.
The evolution of the playing surface from grass to artificial pitches saw the game change dramatically, with players able to control the ball more easily. The range of skills demonstrated and the speed of the ball has made hockey a faster and more exciting game. In recent years, pitches have developed further with water being used as a shock absorber. This development has again created a new, if expensive, progression for the modern game.
The game is now played almost exclusively on artificial grass pitches. They offer a greatly improved surface compared to the traditional grass pitches, which were often the winter reincarnation of cricket fields.
Girls and boys, men and women can participate side by side in what is a high scoring, fast moving, fun game of hockey.
