Hockey

Introduction

Boys’ Hockey has been an integral part of Campbell College since its inception and it continues to go from strength to strength. Hockey is played as a major sport by boys in the Autumn and Spring Terms. Everyone is encouraged to participate and the College regularly fields teams at A and B level; in Year 8 four 8-a-side teams represent the College. As a result, every pupil who plays hockey is given the chance to represent the College in matches against other schools as well as in inter-house events during their school career.

Facilities

The College has two top-class synthetic sand dressed Astroturf pitches. These are placed side by side and provide an outstanding sporting complex for all boys to perform on. They were opened in March 2005 by the GB Gold medal winning team of 1998, when they played an exhibition match against our 1st XI. These excellent facilities, together with a strong infrastructure, allow the College to host a number of major hockey tournaments throughout the year. The College has recently hosted two All Ireland Schools' Championships as well as the Ulster Branch’s junior finals days.

Teams

Our school representative sides start at Year 8 level and continue to Year 14, with U12/13/14/15/2^nd XI and 1^st XI teams competing almost every Saturday from late August to April. The College plays the strongest opposition on both sides of the border to ensure quality challenges and continued development for all players. The 1^st XI competes annually in The Irish Schools', The Ulster Schools' McCullough Cup (pre Christmas) and The Ulster Schools' Burney Cup (post Christmas).

Pre-Christmas the 2^nd XI competes in the Ulster Schools' Prior Shield, a league based competition; this provides important, competitive matches and opportunities for development of potential 1^st XI players. The 2nd XI also competes in the Ulster Schools' Dowdall Cup after Christmas.
The U15 side competes in the Ulster Schools' Richardson Cup, a Trophy they won in 2011. The U14 side plays in the Ferris Cup while the College’s U12 and U13 teams compete in the Ulster Schools' Bannister Bowl.

In addition to these Ulster Schools' competitions,  we host our own tournaments; the Belmont Cup and The Craigantlet Shield. These are contested by us and neighbouring schools in Years 8 and 9 respectively.
Training takes place during games sessions in the autumn and spring terms with additional sessions provided at lunchtimes and after school. The teams then represent the College in a full fixture list of matches played on Saturday mornings and some weekday afternoons.

Coaching

As well as an enthusiastic team of coaches who have many years of hockey experience and knowledge to share with the boys, the College also maintains excellent coaching links with a number of ex-international and Ulster players, many of whom are Old Campbellians.  These former pupils continue to support Campbell College hockey and return regularly to lead sessions, imparting their experience and knowledge and enthusing the boys. A healthy link is also in place with local hockey clubs to encourage all the boys to extend their enjoyment and interest beyond their school years. The Campbellians hockey club was established in 2006 with this very thought in mind. Indeed the 1st XI starts the new season each year with a match against the Old Campbellians, for the Agnew Cup.