A HAMPSHIRE hockey club is celebrating its ten year anniversary after combining two sides back in 2008.

Romsey Hockey Club, formed for the start of the 2008/2009 season, now spans four men's teams and four ladies sides competing across divisions in Hampshire, and even further afield nationally.

Based at Romsey School, the club also trains at Hampshire Collegiate School and is hoping to build a future at the new Kings Chase development in the town.

Now, at the end of this campaign which has just begun, the club are to mark the occasion with a dinner.

Club chairman Colin Harwood has been in his role for the past five years, and has seen the club grow. He was quick to pay thanks to community, including other sports clubs in Romsey and The Sun Inn, who provide refreshments to the club after matches.

He said: "The tenth anniversary is testament to those ladies and gents who had the foresight back in 2008 to bring Romsey Ladies and M&T Men's hockey together to form Romsey Hockey Club, and we look forward to the next ten years.

"We have a dedicated committee, who have supported the club so effectively, that we now regularly see May and June as our mixed summer league period, which is so key to bringing ladies and men's players together."

Colin was also keen to thank other aspects of the community and Test Valley Borough Council in supporting the club over the past few years.

He added: "As a club we don't have a clubhouse, but we have a super relationship with The Sun Inn. But as a big part of the Romsey community I am keen to see the club play at the new Kings Chase development, and I'm proud to have played my part working with other Romsey sports clubs, in particular the rugby club, and Test Valley Borough Council to gain unanimous council approval for the housing and sports development of pitches and clubhouse facilities."

The club say plans are in the works to mark their anniversary officially in the summer with an event in Romsey.

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