Ipswich - East Suffolk Hockey Club is based at Rushmere Sports Club, Ipswich, Suffolk. The club consists of 4 Mens teams, 2 Ladies teams, 2 Mens and 2 Ladies Indoor teams, a Mixed team and a thriving Junior Section. All the Saturday teams play in the East Region Hockey Association (ERHA) East League with the exception of the Ladies 2nd X1 that plays in the Suffolk Ladies Premier Division. IES are always on the look out for new members. We have teams at all levels so even if you’ve never played before or have years of experience then give us a look. We are friendly club, playing good hockey with the added bonus of a good and active social side. Contact Chris Hatch for further information about joining & training.
The club's rules are embodied in its Constitution.
The Club aims to promote a happy and constructive atmosphere both on and off the pitch and be well-organised. We intend to be successful at our level of hockey and attendance at midweek training is expected. We are ambitious to advance to higher levels with a return to East Division 1 status for the Mens 1sts and at least maintenance of East Div 1 status for the Ladies 1sts (having achieved a mid-table finish last season), as short-term objectives for the 10/11 season.
The Club places great emphasis on our Youth Coaching programme and policy, as well as supporting the attainment of official qualifications for our coaches and umpires. Indeed, we have been in receipt of considerable grant aid in recent years to help finance these specific objectives. The Club is working towards achievement of Clubs 1st accreditation - the national standard for provision of a safe and high quality environment for bringing young players into the sport.
A key aim in general is to bring young players through into adult hockey and expand the opportunities to play by increasing the number of teams competing. This objective is not easy and we need all the commitment from senior members and others that we can get.
Further details of the Aims and Objectives may be found by reference to the Club Constitution.
In addition to the hockey we organise social events about once a month, such as barbeques, discos, dinners, quiz nights, race nights etc with ticket prices set to provide good value for members and their guests whilst generating some much-needed additional income for the Club.
Ipswich - East Suffolk Hockey Club (IES), was previously known as Ipswich & East Suffolk Hockey Club and based at Chantry Park, Ipswich during the period 1986 - 1998. From May 1998, the Club accepted an invitation to become an associate member club of Rushmere Sports Club Ltd which became the headquarters and social venue from the 98/99 season. Concurrent with the move to Rushmere, the Club was delighted to be able to agree a merger with Woodbridge LHC.
The IES mens 1st X1 competed in the East Region Hockey Association League Premier 'A' Division during the three seasons up to 2001/02 but a downturn in fortunes over the next few seasons found us competing in East Div 3 North East during 2005/06. However, an outstanding and unbeaten league campaign meant promotion to Div 2 North for 06/07. The team has competed at that level for the last 4 seasons generally attaining mid-table finishes but the ambition is certainly to attain Div 1 status within the forseeable future.
The ERHA East league comprises a complete divisional structure for all clubs and all levels of mens teams. Within this, the Mens 2nd X1 are competing in Division 4NE, the 3rd X1 in Division in 5NE and the 4th X1 in Division 6NE, during the 2010/11 season. (NE = North East sub-division of the East League). The club is running 4 mens league teams during 2010/11.
The Ladies 1st X1 were promoted from East Div 2C in 06/07 and and have competed in East Division 1 North since then, generally achieving mid-table finishes. As ever, the team is aiming to improve on this during 2010/11. The Ladies 2nd X1 is again again competing in the Suffolk Premier Division during 2010/11.
The club had to close its Ladies 3rd X1 at the beginning of the 09/10 season due to a shortage of available players. There is no immediate plan for an expansion back to 3 teams but it remains an important objective. Prospective players should get in touch with the club to at least register an interest. It is a near-impossible task to expand the number of teams unless the club can be certain of having sufficient players for the following season, as League entries and commitments need to be made by June for the following season!
