As part of #FlyerzWeek 2021, our annual celebration of all things Flyerz, over 200 players, family members, coaches, and volunteers kicked off the hockey season in style at the Flyerz Festival South.

Every year during #FlyerzWeek, clubs and communities from across the Flyerz Family share their stories and invite more clubs and players to get involved, and the week always culminates in a Festival event - last year we went virtual but this year it was over to our clubs and they definitely delivered - Falcon Flyerz and Tunbridge Wells HC Flyerz hosted the largest Flyerz gathering ever with over 200 people attending and over 100 playing and participating in inclusive hockey.

Players, families, coaches, and volunteers from six Flyerz clubs (Tunbridge Wells, Falcon Flyerz, London Wayfarers, Guildford, St Albans, and Harborne) came together for a day of fun and Flyerz action with skills sessions, games, and special appearances from guests such as GB Hockey’s Tess Howard.

The Festival provided the Flyerz Family with the opportunity to come together to play with and against other clubs, for players and their families to meet other Flyerz or to catch up with old friends, and for coaches, volunteers, and prospective clubs to share and learn from each other and celebrate their successes together.

Check out some of the best moments from the day in the video below, captured and shared by England Hockey:

The day started with a mass group warm up, before players were mixed up for skills based activities, including a session led by Tom, a Harborne Flyerz Player who has recently completed his Introduction to Hockey Workshop with England Hockey. After lunch it was all about playing games before a short thank you and medals to all participants for being part of a fantastic Festival.

One Flyerz player, Will, was joined by his sister Izzy and mum Lisa. Lisa spoke about their experience and the positive impact Flyerz has had on their family:

Izzy has been playing hockey and Will has been watching for a number of years, so when I found out about Falcon Flyerz I was really excited that he would be able to participate as well. It’s nice that there are different people with different abilities and disabilities and it’s so inclusive, the coaches are amazing. Falcon Flyerz has shown that anyone can get involved, initially I thought the stick might have been restrictive, but they will prove to you that anyone is able to play.

Tess Howard, England and Great Britain Hockey player, was welcomed with open arms and instantly became part of the Flyerz Family:

I’m just here to support Flyerz as it's an incredible programme designed to get everyone involved in hockey and it's just a privilege to see so many smiling faces - I've had the best day ever!

Tess went on to explain what Flyerz means for hockey overall:

Flyerz is vital for hockey because as a nation and sport we want to be accessible and inclusive to everybody, we want to show that you only need a stick to play. Hockey and hockey clubs also have a great platform to provide opportunities to everyone in the community.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE IMAGES FROM THE DAY - use the left and right arrows to scroll through...

Thank you to...

Falcon Flyerz and Tunbridge Wells HC Flyerz for organising and hosting, to all the teams, players, coaches, volunteers, parents, carers, and family and friends for an amazing day, and a special thanks to Nick Cornwall, Chris Hare, and England Hockey for capturing the amazing images and footage from the day. See you at the next one!

Flyerz Hockey

Flyerz is the name widely associated with grassroots disability-inclusive hockey in Great Britain. There are now more than 50 Flyerz sections across England, Wales, and Scotland, providing inclusive hockey for all...with some international links too!

If you'd like to get involved in Flyerz hockey as a player, coach, volunteer, or as a supporter and fundraiser, please contact [email protected]. And if you'd like to discuss making your sport or club more inclusive (whatever sport you play), please contact [email protected].

Photo Credits: Header image - Nick Cornwall. Gallery Images - Chris Hare & Nick Cornwall
Footage: Sport England