IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

Ipswich Underwater Hockey Club to host East Anglia Junior Regionals at Crown Pools

Ipswich Underwater Hockey Club at Crown Pools, Ipswich

Information - Ipswich Underwater Hockey Club to host East Anglia Junior Regionals at Crown Pools

Refreshment proceeds in support of The Broomhill Pool Trust.

Crown Pools will be the venue for the Underwater Hockey, East Anglia Junior Regionals at Crown Pool this Saturday. 07 February 14:30 – 18:00.
The competition will see more than 90 juniors competing from 9 different clubs (Dunstable, Guildford, Ipswich, Isle of Wight, Sawston, Skipton, St Albans, West Wickham and Yorkshire).
Juniors in the 3 age groups U11, U14, and U16 will play 9 minutes matches across 2 courts over 3 hours. It’s fast and furious and great fun.

Ipswich Underwater Hockey Club will be contributing proceeds from its refreshment sales towards The Broomhill Pool Trust. www.broomhillpooltrust.org
The club is fully supportive of the restoration of Ipswich’s iconic grade II listed lido.
The 55 x 20-yard pool can double Ipswich’s swimming space, providing an ideal venue for all swimming activities, including octopush, water polo, triathlon, swimming lessons, and health and wellbeing.
Broomhill Pool is Britain’s deepest outdoor pool. It is one of 20 listed lidos in the United Kingdom, but the only one not restored or reopened.

WHAT IS UNDERWATER HOCKEY or OCTOPUSH?
Underwater hockey (UWH), or “octopush,” is an exciting fast-paced, non-contact, team sport played on the bottom of a swimming pool.
Most people have never heard of it, but it was founded in Portsmouth in 1954 and has been played in Ipswich for over 50 years.
There are currently 68 underwater hockey clubs registered in the UK and it is played globally, with the Youth World Championships being held this July in Turkey.
Two teams of six players use short, handheld sticks to propel a 1.2-to-1.5 kg plastic-coated lead puck into the opposing team’s goal, with participants diving down and holding their breath to play.

Ipswich Underwater Hockey Club – home of the Ipswich Seahorses – is a community-based club providing opportunities for both junior and adult players to participate in the sport in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
The club welcomes players of all abilities, from beginners with no prior experience to more established players looking to develop their skills through regular training and competitive play.
A key focus of the club is junior development. The club has established a clear pathway that supports young players as they progress from introductory sessions into regular training and competing regionally and nationally.
And on Saturday the juniors will be giving their best. Come on you Ipswich Seahorses! www.ipswichuwhclub.co.uk/about-us/

Media Contacts (or for more information):
Please contact Charlie Simms at Ipswich Underwater Hockey Club / charliebsimms@gmail.com
Please contact Mark Ling at The Broomhill Pool Trust / mark.ling@icetransport.co.uk.