Grange Hockey Club
| fullname = Grange Men's Hockey Club | |||
| Nickname(s) | The Stags | ||
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| Founded | 1905, as Edinburgh Northern Hockey Club | ||
| Ground | The Grange Club, Portgower Place Edinburgh |
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| Chairman | Mike White | ||
| League | Scottish National 1, Scottish Central 1 & 2, Scottish East District 1,2 & 3 |
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| Website | Club home page | ||
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Grange Hockey Club is a one of four sections of The Grange, Edinburgh (cricket and sports club) situated at Portgower Place in Edinburgh. The three other sports that can be enjoyed through the parent club are Cricket, Squash and Tennis.
Grange, initially Edinburgh Northern Hockey Club, was formed in April 1905 and was one of the early hockey clubs in Scotland. The club first started playing at Raeburn Place in 1928 and changed its name to Grange Hockey Club in 1972.
With 7 men's teams, Grange Hockey Club is one of the largest in Scotland.
The Grange Hockey Club recently celebrated its centenary year, celebrating the 100th year of hockey being played under the Grange name since Edinburgh Northern Hockey Club amalgamated with Grange cricket club to form the modern hockey section of the club. The Grange home kit is white shirts with blue shorts and blue socks.
[edit] The Men's Teams
The 1st XI is one of the best sides in Scotland and regularly supplies players to the national side. Playing in the national 1st divisions, the team continue to enjoy great success, both domestically (ranked 6th at the end of the 2010 season) and in European competition. Recently the 1st XI came 2nd in the 2010 EuroHockey Club Trophy, helping Scotland earn 10 valuable EHF ranking points.
Grange 2nd XI are frontrunners in Regional Central League 1, the highest division in which a club 2nd XI are permitted to play by the sport’s governing body. Grange 2nd XI have won the league on X occasions and have also recently won the District Cup/Plate.
Grange 3rd XI play in Regional Central League 2, the highest league permited for a club’s 3rd XI. Having won 10 and drawn one of their first 11 fixtures in Regional Central League 2, Grange 3rd XI are proving that the club has a high level of talent throughout the teams.
Grange Development team were established to allow younger players the opportunity to become involved in men’s senior hockey under the guidance of a host of more experienced, high calibre andex-international players. Grange Development team have been apermanent fixture of East District League 1 for a number of years.
Grange 5, 6 and 7th XIs play in East District Leagues 1, 2 and 3 respectively, acting as a development base for new or inexperienced players, and providing an opportunity for those that seek more enjoyment than competitive edge from their hockey.
In addition, Grange Hockey Club has an Under 16 membership of some 160 youngsters between the ages of nine and fifteen, both boys and girls.
Grange Under 16 teams compete in National Leagues while the Under 14 teams take part in a local League for that age group. In recent years Grange have had representatives in the Scotland Boys Under 18 and Scotland Boys and Girls Under 16 Squads, in addition to several representatives in District Squads at both age groups.
The Grange Men’s Hockey club has a sister club, Grange Edinburgh Ladies, with four teams and their own contribution to the Junior section of the Club.
[edit] Training
Training for men at all skill levels takes place every Tuesday at St George's Girls School from 7pm till 9pm and is coached by 2 skilled and experienced club members.
Training for the men's 1st and 2nd XI takes place at Edinburgh University's Peffermill pitches on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm till 9pm and is directed by ex Scotland and England internationals.
[edit] The Social Side
The Men's Hockey Dinner often enjoys a huge support. An event that usually takes place in mid to late March is a date for every member's diary. Every team inhabits their own table and enjoys a 4 course meal followed by speeches and the now infamous bread roll fight.
The Section also recently celebrated its Centenary. An event which was marked in style by a gathering of members old and new at the in Edinburgh at which a 5 course meal and speeches included words from Des O'Brian. The bread roll fight was put on hold for this event.
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