Families unite for Generations Day

HENLEY Hockey Club hosted their annual Generations Day matches on the weekend between Christmas and New Year on their new pitch at Jubilee Park.

More than 100 members and relatives were trying out the sport for the first time.

There were four games in total over the day, with members being organised by age group. The first game was for children in Years 3 to 5 up to the final game of the day being a faster-paced school leavers and uni-returners.

In each game, family members played together, mostly on the same team, with one of the largest clans being the Austins, totalling three adult brothers and their associated young people.

After the matches, Sam Austin said: “It was great to all play together at the same time. We have one more to join us on the pitch but that's the aim for next year. It’s great to learn from each other and obviously it was all totally harmonious — not a cross word to be had.”

The Herberts, Emmetts and a grandparent Walker — in the warm-up with grandson Digby — were also strongly represented, making up just over half a team themselves. Club president Rachel Herbert, husband Dan, Rachel’s sister Esme, their son Adam and nephews Matthew and Timothy were all on the pitch together. Rachel said: “There has been a real buzz about the club today. It’s lovely to get everyone playing together and to see the little ones teaching their adults how to play and passing on their knowledge is amazing to see.”

The club has historically had a Lads v Dads fixture for a number of years in the Christmas break, but last year saw the birth of the Generations Day and the fixture has grown in popularity, already becoming a regular event that has been requested to repeat at the end of the season.