Herne Bay Hockey Club have joined the incredible Walking Hockey family, and are still going strong one year on from starting.
Walking Hockey is exactly as the name suggests – you play Hockey, walking. It’s designed to help people keep an active lifestyle regardless of age, health and ability, as well as getting those back into hockey who had to stop due to injuries or other reasons.
As well as the health benefits associated with most forms of physical activity; keeping fit and active, weight loss etc there are also many social health benefits that come with playing Walking Hockey. Taking time to socialise, meet new people or even build confidence are all part and parcel of taking part in this version of the game. Addressing the recognised need for healthier lifestyles, this Walking Hockey initiative comes at an ideal time to really positively impact on the local community.
Herne Bay Hockey Club see an opportunity to make hockey available to the local community to help meet the need for providing sports for all. Lucy Marks, the club chairman, has said, “We strongly believe anyone should be able to participate in our great sport, whether playing, volunteering, officiating or cheering us on, hockey has so much to give. No one in the surrounding area offers this, so we want to pioneer this for the benefit of our local community and so that we can continue to grow as a family friendly, fun club for all.”
Michael Lunn, Herne Bay Hockey Club’s walking hockey coach, has said, “The club are so happy to be able to offer this opportunity to support our local community. We can’t wait to see people of various ages and abilities coming together to have fun and make new friends whilst getting some fitness too.”
“Starting exercise after a prolonged period of inactivity can be daunting, but is made so much easier if it’s in a fun, social and welcoming environment with people in the same situation. Even if you’ve never held a hockey stick before, come along and give it a try – we are sure everyone is going to enjoy it.”