Founded in 1874, Surbiton Hockey Club is the second oldest hockey club in the world. Home to over 1000 members playing in 20 adult sides and around 50 junior teams it is also one of the biggest, most prosperous clubs in England. Approaching 150 years in 2024, the club has ambitious plans to transform it into a state of the art hockey hub in leafy Surbiton. 

Within the community, the club is also invaluable for local schools and residents. For example, they began working with Hinchley Wood School to provide free and subsidised hockey to all year 7 -9 students in 2015. Since then, annually this has made it possible for around 600 children access to 164 hours of curriculum-based hockey. In addition to this, Surbiton is a registered charity and oversees programmes in Kingston, Elmbridge and Lewisham to over 25,000 children since its establishment in 2012. It is this impact on the community which makes the club so invaluable and therefore all that is done to improve it has such a positive impact on the community. 

Already, the club has completed the resurfacing of two new international standard pitches and built a half-sized training pitch, using the sand dressed carpet that was removed during the upgrades to pitch 2. The floodlights have also been upgraded to LED, and a viewing platform resurrected at the previously unused end of pitch 1 to make the most of the land available and provide an excellent vantage point for those watching.

These changes have already made an immeasurable impact on the suburban club, with the new half-sized training pitch being used for dedicated goalie training, warm ups and the accommodation of junior and adult training sessions and small-sided games on both weekends and weekdays. To make the most of these facilities, Surbiton has also begun live-streaming Premier division home matches on their YouTube channel, SHC TV, so people unable to be there can watch the live, fast-paced action as well.

“The impact the redevelopment is having is incredible!” One member commented.

Another added “Both pitches are a joy to play on and the half-pitch is a great, highly used addition which my friends and I have a great time playing on.”

As the club approaches its 150, approximately £1 million is needed to complete the full project, which will no doubt have an immense impact on the community for which it provides so much. 

Donations can be made to Surbiton Hockey Club’s website.