Enter the Dragons after clubs merge; Successful sides join forces

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 24, 2009

Byline: IAN HIRST

HUDDERSFIELD Dragons hockey club will be the new name and face of hockey in the area after the merger between two Huddersfield hockey clubs.

Lockwood Park ladies hockey club and Huddersfield men's hockey club have joined forces to become one of the largest clubs in Yorkshire with 200 members.

After players from both teams successfully sanctioned the move, the club is now working towards becoming one of the most successful hockey sides in the region..

The news comes on the back of success for both the ladies and the men's team.

Last season there was a major accomplishment for the men's first team as they won the Yorkshire Premier League to gain promotion to the Northern League for the first time in their 109-year history.

The men's second string also gained promotion to Yorkshire Division II.

On the ladies side, the second team won their division to gain promotion to Yorkshire Division V.

In total, there will be seven men's teams, three ladies teams, two veteran sides, junior age groups ranging from under 10-18 and the Kirklees Girls Junior club.

The Dragons have their focus on the junior side this term.

Working closely with the Kirklees Development Team that visit local schools in order to try and develop the game of hockey, the club will be integrating the older juniors into the senior's training sessions to help them progress into the open-age category.

Sponsorship is also on the agenda for the newly-formed club as they seek backers ranging from being the main club sponsor to pitch side advertising.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team to any degree or any other information can find out more at www.huddersfielddragonshc.co.uk