UEL Hockey returned to Lea Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Monday night, as they trained for the first time this academic year.
The coronavirus pandemic stopped the student side in their tracks, just as they were beginning to build and strengthen their team in the previous season.
COVID’s Impact on UEL Hockey
Historically a successful outfit, the Hockey team had been competing in BUCS competitions in the 2019/20 season, and while not hitting particularly impressive form, they were beginning to develop an understanding for one another on the pitch.
But the pandemic hit in March 2020 – halting any sort of progression the side were making, as they could no longer train, meet up or play competitive fixtures.
13 months on, they finally had the opportunity to see each other again, speaking to Rising East, third year student Frazer McCann described the return to training:
“It was just great to be back out there to be honest, it’s been such a long time since we’ve been able to meet up and train, I haven’t seen a couple of these guys in months” he said.
“I felt like when the pandemic first hit, we were really starting to build up some momentum as a team, we had only been playing with each other for a couple of months and I feel like we were just starting to get competitive.”
More Than A Game
Not only playing and training together, the students had the opportunity to organise social events to help boost team morale, prior to indoor venues closing their doors.
“We all used to meet up at the hockey socials, and I think that’s where that team spirit was really borne from, so obviously when COVID first showed its face we were all extremely disappointed we couldn’t carry on what we’d started”
While Frazer lamented his time playing competitively for UEL, he went on to mention that the general feeling in the side isn’t still one of disappointment:
“Most of us are in our final year, so we won’t get the opportunity to play for the hockey team again. While that is disappointing, I think we all just want to enjoy the last few months of training, because it feels so good to be playing again”
McCann went on to stress the importance of securing the future of the University’s hockey team, despite not being able to compete for the side again:
“I think it also gives us the opportunity to lay a decent foundation for next year’s squad, we can try to get some younger members into the side to take the team forward over the next couple of years.”
“I literally started as a beginner here at UEL, so I’d really recommend getting involved to anyone, we’re in the back end of COVID now, so there’s no better time to give something new a try”.
In terms of university sport, the fog is beginning to clear as cases and deaths across the country decline proportionately. The return of the UEL Hockey side to the BUCS Leagues is beginning to creep over the horizon, with sports expected to return in the next academic year.
For the mean time, UEL Hockey will continue to play out their final training sessions together, making the most of the time they have left.
