Our first pitches were begged or borrowed from contacts in the Canterbury area, until finally we progressed to a semi-permanent home at St Stephens. We had the use of a wooden hut to change in; the hut even had electricity and running water but we had to pay for a swim at Kingsmead in order to take a shower! In the late 70’s we took to visiting the mens’ clubhouse at Kingsmead and in 1980 when the opportunity arose to join the mens’ hockey club and Beverley cricket club in the new venture at Polo Farm the ladies club jumped at the opportunity.

In 1971 a band of twelve regularly turned out just one side, increasing numbers meant that in 1976 they were able to field two regular Saturday sides. It was from this shaky start that the club grew both in strength and stature. The ladies’ even then saw the potential of the youth of the city and began coaching sessions for youngsters aspiring to play club hockey. It was from these sessions that the mini hockey as we know it now evolved. The first U18 side we entered into the newly formed Kent league were so successful that not only did they win their regional league – at its inception – but went on to become Kent champions followed by East champions in successive years.

Kent ladies’ began a league programme in 1981, which Canterbury joined and over the next few years our membership grew and in 1984 we were able to field 3 teams on a regular basis, the youth section going from strength to strength. By 1988 we were up to 4 regular sides and now we have 5 Saturday sides all playing league hockey.

The success of the club has grown over the years with the following being some of our achievements:

U18 Kent Champions; East Champions; Runner up in the National play offs.

U19 Kent Champions; East Champions; Runner-up in the National play offs.

Indoor; Kent Champions; runners-up in the East Championship; 1995 reached the national plate finals; 1996; Progressed through the National Leagues, being promoted to National Premier in 1999,finishing 4th earning themselves a play off place. The side stayed in the Premier Division until 2004, when they were relegated to Division 1. .

First XI: Kent champions; east super league champions; National league division 1; National premier league with 2nd place being their best ever finish. In 2003 they were worthy Cup Winners and earned themselves a place in the 2004 European Cup Winners Cup. To come our of their first European competition with a Silver Medal was no mean achievement.

Second XI: Kent Champions, moved into the East Super League, where they romped through the leagues ending up as Champions of the Premier League. Unfortunately that is where they stay. The WHA do not allow two sides from the same club in the National leagues. They have been winners of the Kent Cup on 4 occasions.

2A XI: Romped through the Kent leagues and are currently in Kent Premier league.

3rd XI Winners of Kent leagues 6, 5 and 4, runners-up in 3 and 2 and are now in Kent league division 1.

3A XI in existence for about 5 years joined the Kent league division 8 in 1999, won everything, ended as champions, gaining promotion each year and are currently in division 5.

Vets Kent Champions.

Over the years we have had National representation at all levels, including Eirian Fox, Sandra Martin, Jackie Savage, Karen Kingsnorth, Clare Kingsnorth, Jo Sillitoe, Claire Pluckrose, Nikki Litchfield, Jackie Laslett, Rocca Guttridge, Kirsty Chambers, Christina Houslop with Anna Bennett, Frances Houslop, Hilary Rose and Mel Clewlow who we are proud to say played in the Sydney Olympics. Our two South African Athens Olympians, Susan Webber and Jenny Wilson joined in 2003 with Amy Tran, the USA’s first choice goalkeeper joining us in 2004.

We have been fortunate to have the services of many fine coaches over the years; our first serious appointment was that of Denise Baker who took the first eleven to the National League. Our own club coaches without whom we would not be where we are today, Sue Longbottom, John Maylam, Nigel Durban, Eirian Fox, Chris Haigh have all served the club well. The 1st XI currently benefit from the services of Danny Kerry, while Chris Haigh has taken over the development of our youngsters to form a new 2nd XI.

In order that the club can function in the league set up we have to provide numerous qualified umpires and thanks must go to all club members who have made themselves available for this thankless task.

We are proud to be part of Polo Farm and of our involvement in making Canterbury one of the best hockey clubs in the country; we are also justly proud of the youth set up and we can boast 20 odd players who now play top hockey who have come through the mini hockey system. We still get a sense of satisfaction when players who have been away completing their education want to find employment in Kent, so they can come back to their roots and play their hockey with us.

There are many people who have been instrumental in making the Ladies’ club what it is today: Elsie Phipps for being the driving force in the reformation in 1971; Gwyneth Robson and Jan Goodenough who were two of the founders and remain vice-presidents taking an active interest in the club of today; Sylvia Wood who was our President for 27 years; Sue Longbottom who was a source of inspiration to the youngsters and was responsible for the interest in indoor hockey. Nan Haggerty, Angela Tingey, Sally Hayes and Judith Dunn who between them have held more committee posts than the rest of the club put together. In the early days there were not enough interested parties to have elections for committee posts, so those who wanted to be involved did all the jobs themselves.

The amount of work done by a few can never really be fully acknowledged but the club of today should always be grateful to the committee of 1978/9 who took the decision to move to Polo Farm, it was not an easy decision, as we had to raise a serious amount of money both in cash and in bonds. It was down to a few whose foresight, tenacity and conviction saw that if we were going to survive and improve our standing in the hockey world we had to make this momentous decision. Angela Tingey, Jackie Mount and Nan Haggerty worked tirelessly in fund raising, with Sally Hayes and Judith Dunn the driving force behind the pledging of bonds, these ladies will always have a place in Canterbury Ladies’ history and the current club should be grateful for their foresight.

Out first official sponsor was Marcas Steel who helped put Canterbury’s name on the National map. We currently enjoy the benefits of sponsorship, Bill Hayes, one of our Vice-Presidents has always supported the ladies’ section and it is down to him that we have the luxury of a deal with Shepheard Neame. Worldwide Fruit have been sponsoring our first XI since 2002; with Vampire Sports sponsoring some of the 1st XI kit, we are grateful to all of our sponsors for their financial help. There is one other band of helpers that the club must be truly grateful and they are the ladies’ in the kitchen, they have over the years worked tirelessly on Sundays, feeding the players, the supporters, visitors and officials whilst keeping in mind the need for fund-raising. It is in no small part Canterbury Hockey Clubs have picked up 5 “most hospitable club” awards over the past four years.

To say we are proud of our achievements is an understatement, we still feel that the club retains its ‘family’ atmosphere, but that does not stop us wanting to achieve the very best on the pitch. The success of our first XI reflects through the sides. Although Mel and Anna are to us just two of the first XI, to the youngsters of the club they are heroes. When they turn up for their mini-hockey sessions you can see pleasure in their young faces. A few hours given freely can and does bring its own rewards.

A potted history of the club can be difficult as there is always someone who has done so much but we fail to acknowledge, so if that is the case, please accept my sincere apologies.

Sally Hayes
Chairman
CLHC
September 2004