Wednesday, March 12: Ennis Hockey Club has grown remarkably since its establishment in 2019. As the only hockey club in County Clare, it plays a vital role in developing and promoting the sport across the region. What began with just 15 junior members and two dedicated coaches has evolved into a thriving community of approximately 100 members, encompassing juniors, adults, and individuals with disabilities. This rapid expansion reflects the club’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring that hockey is accessible to all.
Today, the club proudly competes in the Munster League, fielding U18 and U14 Girls teams. In a milestone achievement last season, Ennis Hockey Club secured its first-ever trophy, winning the U16 Division Three Cup. This year, the U18 girls are competing at that level for the first time, showing significant promise, while the U14 girls embrace their debut season on a full-sized pitch with enthusiasm. Several players have been selected for Munster squad development programmes, a testament to the talent emerging from the club. Additionally, the club’s boys’ goalkeeper continues to progress through the development pathway, despite the current absence of a boys’ team.
As the only hockey club in the county, Ennis Hockey Club is dedicated to expanding access to the sport. Its pioneering Hockey4All programme offers free hockey sessions for people with disabilities, creating a rare and valuable sporting opportunity in Clare. The club also works tirelessly to introduce young players to hockey, visiting schools across the county, running sports days, and donating equipment to encourage participation. Beyond competition, initiatives such as Walking Hockey and Social Hockey ensure that individuals of all ages and abilities can enjoy the game, making Ennis Hockey Club a true community hub for the sport.
Despite its remarkable growth, Ennis Hockey Club faces significant challenges. Chief among them, the absence of proper hockey facilities in County Clare. In fact, there isn’t a single hockey pitch in the entire county, forcing the club to travel to Limerick for full training sessions and competitive matches. This reliance on external facilities places a considerable strain on players, families, and the club itself, making participation more difficult and limiting opportunities for the sport to flourish locally.
The club currently trains on a surface that is far from ideal. Smaller than a basketball court and not designed for hockey, the pitch presents difficulties in conducting meaningful training sessions. Space constraints mean that the club has, on occasion, had to turn away potential members simply because there isn’t enough room to accommodate them safely. Despite these limitations, the club continues to invest in renting this unsuitable facility, as it remains the only local option available.
This lack of facilities also impacts player retention and development. Many young players dream of playing matches, but for some, the constant travel outside Ennis becomes unsustainable. The challenge has been particularly evident in the boys’ programme, where the lack of regular playing opportunities led to a decline in participation. A proper hockey pitch in Ennis would provide a much-needed solution, allowing more players to stay engaged with the sport and reach their full potential.
To address these challenges, Ennis Hockey Club has set out an ambitious vision: to establish a multisport facility in Ennis. More than just a home for hockey, this venue would serve as a hub for the local community, providing space for multiple sports and fostering greater access to physical activity. However, while capital grants exist to support such projects, they require land ownership, an obstacle the club has yet to overcome. A collaborative effort with local athletics and soccer clubs to secure land through the county council was unfortunately unsuccessful, leaving the club without the foundation needed to access these grants.
Determined to take control of its future, the club has turned to its own fundraising efforts, aiming to generate the resources necessary to bring this vision to life. The funds raised will go directly toward developing a facility that ensures every child and adult in Clare has a place to play hockey without barriers. With the support of the community, Ennis Hockey Club hopes to create an environment where no one has to give up the sport they love due to logistical challenges, securing a lasting future for hockey in the county.
To help raise these funds, Ennis have launched a ‘Win a Ford Kuga’ fundraising raffle. To learn more, visit www.winafordkuga.ie or head to Ennis’ social media pages across Instagram and Facebook.