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Hockey: Want more people to play your sport? Winning Olympic gold is a good way to go
Yahoo Sport spent the afternoon at Surbiton Hockey Club as two of its three Olympic champions returned
It’s 'Super Saturday' at the biggest hockey club in the country, Surbiton, as its premier teams play their first home matches of the season, and everyone here is thrilled at the turnout.
This is what happens when Great Britain wins Olympic gold, as the women’s team did around a month ago, in the sort of match to fire anyone’s imagination. More than 9 million people watched on TV as their never-say-die attitude saw them defeat the mighty Netherlands, equalising late to make it 3-3 and take it to a thoroughly nerve-shredding penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch emerged a hero, but the penalty that sealed the win was taken by Surbiton’s very own Hollie Webb. And of course clubmates Georgie Twigg and Giselle Ansley were part of the victorious team too.
Many people have said it was their favourite GB gold medal of the Rio Games, a compliment Twigg also admits she hears a lot and still finds amazing. But a few weeks of Olympic fever is one thing, it’s capitalising on that sudden surge of interest that’s the real trick.
[In pictures: Relive GB hockey’s glorious golden night in Rio]
Surbiton have a dedicated following and are used to success, but even they are surprised at the number of people who’ve come to support Super Saturday, especially the youngsters. Following several junior and senior matches, the ladies (with Twigg back in the side) hit the astroturf, winning a terrific encounter 3-2 against the University of Birmingham. Surbiton are defending champions in the Investec League and went the whole of last season unbeaten. Hockey's Invincibles, if you will. Following this latest win, the men drew 2-2 in a hard-fought game against Hampstead.
[Georgie Twigg: 'We were undefeated last year but we were actually a bit disappointed']
But the biggest draw of the day for the kids is undoubtedly the giant coaching session and Q&A with Hollie Webb. Over 100 signed up and it’s quite a sight to see them all running in circles – literally, at one point – as they try out the skills Hollie gets them to work on.
(All these matches and over an hour with an Olympic champion for £5. If you‘re fed up of the high prices for other live sports, this is another reason to go and watch hockey.)
The kids are still beaming about the gold medal, which Hollie proudly displays, and they want to know everything.
How often does she wear it? She says she keeps the gold with her most of the time, but it’s actually really heavy so she doesn’t wear it much any more.
How did she come up with her now-iconic jumping celebration? As a defender, she doesn’t score a lot of goals so she didn’t have a go-to celebration, so she just instinctively started jumping up and down.
What did winning gold feel like? Like every Christmas she’s ever had rolled into one, and it’s the best moment of her life (so far).
Who are her favourite other people on the team to play with? A long answer which boils down to a very diplomatic ‘all of them’.
Did she feel pressure when she went to take the penalty? She was confident in her ability and knew she could only do her best, but that even if she missed it, Maddie Hinch would probably have saved the next Dutch one anyway.
And the questions keep coming and coming. Hollie might be needing a Strepsil or two after this.
Later on, Georgie Twigg enthuses over the hordes of children who've come along, ready to play whatever their ability.
"Seeing the number of kids here, that’s what’s really, really nice and I think that’s kind of what our success has done – clubs are being inundated with requests and people turning up, and that’s just brilliant for our sport."
But it’s not just youngsters and it's not just about this one day. They've welcomed many new members of all ages since the Olympics. Like many other clubs in the country, Surbiton have recently started a Back to Hockey course for adults who fancy a go. Even Georgie's mum started playing again at her home club in Derbyshire, having not picked up a stick since she was 17.
[Dutch superstar Ellen Hoog calls time on her international career]
If you’re not quite ready to put the shinpads back on, there are some big international spectator events for your diary in the next couple of years. Next year Lee Valley (the London 2012 venue) hosts the Men’s World League and in 2018, it’s the turn of the Women’s World Cup – a chance to see some of the Olympic champions in action.
Twigg, however, isn’t yet sure of her future plans. She is doing a Law degree and has just started her training contract, meaning her busy schedule just got busier.
"I’m not sure exactly what I’m doing yet... But to host the World Cup in your home country is incredible and especially off the back of this [the gold], it’s going to be a really amazing event. So even if I’m not playing, I’ll certainly go and watch."
After London 2012, where the GB women won bronze, England Hockey said there was a 65% increase in the number of young people taking up the sport. That’s a fine legacy. So what will happen now they’ve won the shiniest prize of all? If Surbiton’s big day is anything to go by, the future is very bright indeed.
Read the full Q&A with Georgie Twigg
With thanks to Del Noble, Georgie Twigg and Surbiton Hockey Club
Surbiton’s premier teams play in the Investec Women’s Hockey League and the Men’s Hockey League
If you want to see the GB Olympians in action for their clubs, here’s where to find them:
And if Team GB inspired you to play hockey again, look for your local club here:
England / Ireland / Scotland / Wales
