Inside ‘the hockey talent factory’: Here’s how Durham University Hockey Club produces Olympians

80 per cent of Durham’s 2024 Olympians are hockey players

1 month ago | UPDATED 1 month ago

Four Durham alumni and alumnae are representing Great Britain at the Olympics in field hockey this summer: Ollie Payne, Jack Waller, Tess Howard and Fiona Crackles. These four hockey players comprise 80 per cent of Durham’s contribution to the Olympics, and 12.5 per cent of Team GB’s squad selected hockey players.

And with BBC Look North recently branding Durham University Hockey Club as “the talent factory of the north”, there must be something special going on in DUHC’s five men’s and six women’s teams.

The Tab Durham spoke to the players to understand more about the reasons for their success and how it is they are able to consistently attract and develop elite hockey players.

Fiona Crackles

Beyond the Olympians currently at Paris 2024, there is a conveyor belt of talent from Durham at age-group international levels. Nine current Durham students represented their countries at the under-21 European Championship’s this summer, while Lizzy Pocknell and Scarlett Spavin went all the way to Chile in December 2023 to play for England in the under-21 World Cup.

Ollie Payne

Durham’s hockey programme is successful in part due to the world class facilities down at Maiden Castle. The newly revamped Sports and Wellbeing Park, following a £32 million redevelopment, boasts two world class water-based pitches, supported by a resolute team of full time coaches with international credentials. Athletes benefit from comprehensive services, including strength and conditioning sessions, physiotherapy treatments, psychological support, and advanced video analysis technology after matches.

Club captain Lucas Mackenzie believes these facilities combined with “playing the smartest brand of hockey in the country” means players develop a “deep understanding of zonal pressing and outlet play that all international teams aim to employ.” Lucas thinks this facilitates a seamless “jump for the top players between their processes at DUHC and international/national hockey sides.”

Such levels of performance and international recognition cannot be attained purely through talent or luck. First team player Jess Gilbert attributes such success on the drive and endeavour of the clubs’ players both during the season and also preseason which starts in mid-August.

Jess said: “The squad returns to Durham in mid-August for pre-season which involves a full-time training programme and fixture programme (including London week where DUHC competes against the best hockey teams in the South) which prepares us strongly for the upcoming BUCS and National League season.”

Tess Howard

The hard work on and off the pitch certainly paid off for DUHC last season with the men’s first team reaching the national final and the women’s first team narrowly missing out on the national final, losing on shuffles in a semi-final match up against Nottingham.

It was not just the first teams who were successful last season. The M2s achieved promotion in their National League division, whilst the M3s achieved BUCS glory in the National Trophy with the M4s also becoming the Northern Conference champions. The W6s also won their League with other women’s sides finishing very strongly in both their BUCS and National League divisions.

The achievements of all DUHC squads are a testament to the culture instilled into all teams, which is corroborated by their subsequent success with international selection. With DUHC’s clear philosophy outlined by Lucas and Jess, it is no surprise that so many of their players burst onto the international hockey scene.

Images via Durham University Hockey Club