The national charity RALPHH has made it possible for four Hoci Cymru clubs across Wales to have pitch-side availability of defibrillation equipment.
The clubs are all very different, but their committees and membership decided to accept the gift of equipment from RALPHH and so be prepared should the unexpected occur.
The first of these is Gwent Hockey Club, which has played its matches at the Cwmbran Stadium since 2009. There are 300 members that include both men’s women’s teams and a youth section. The teams travel widely and two current members have been selected to be part of the GB squad at the Paris Olympics.
The Radnor Ladies Hockey Club is a much smaller enterprise with 40 members, based at the Llandrindod Wells Sports Wells, but again with travel across the region for various league fixtures. RALPHH felt very pleased to help this club, as the nearest A&E Hospital is well over a one-hour drive and with the need for early cardia treatment being necessary to be effective, this defibrillator precaution was recognised as being very necessary.
Moving south west, the next club to benefit is Newcastle Emlyn Hockey Club. Based at the Crymych Leisure Centre since 2022, there are 100 members comprising men, women and a junior section of 60. The women play in the South Wales League Premier 2.
A short distance away is the fourth club, Llandysul Women’s Hockey Club. The first team has been progressing encouraging and it is anticipated that at least one 16- to 18-year-old member will be going to Wales trials. The Club has been based at its school location since 2017. Ysgol Bro Teifi is on the outskirts of the attractive town of Llandysul and membership of 90 includes a few U10 boys.
Hoci Cymru has been delighted to have made these donations and installations possible courtesy of our partnership with RALPHH. Hoci Cymru was also the recipient of a defibrillator earlier this year, with the equipment being set up pitch-side at Sophia Gardens.
“The origins of RALPHH are in the sport of rowing, but we are delighted to be working so closely with hockey across the Principality,” said Richard Allen, Chairman of the charity, which was formally established in 2019.
“Hockey is a really excellent sport, drawing upon great efforts from players. It is therefore right that effective planning for the unexpected takes place at club level and I know that Hoci Cymru shares our view that this should happen.”
We encourage clubs to reach out to be a part of this fantastic and crucial initiative, with currently more defibrillators available to be gifted to the most appropriate locations.
Pictured above: Overlooking the all-weather pitch, Richard Allen presents the defibrillator to Llanos Samuel, Head of Juniors Hockey at Radnor Ladies Hockey Club. Also in the picture are Club Secretary Angharad Davies and Ffion Pugh
In the goalmouth at Newcastle Emlyn Women’s Hockey Club are: some of the members of the Club, including 1st Team Captain Melanie White with Richard Allen.
Mererid Davies (left), Treasurer and Coach at Llandysul Women’s Hockey Club with members.
Miles Thomas, Club Secretary and Youth Manager Caitlin Preece of Gwent Hockey Club receiving the defibrillator from Richard Allen (centre), Chairman of RALPHH
By Hockey Wales
