Occasionals

Captain's Welcome

The Os are one of, if not, the best team in OUHC. As the second of four men’s teams there’s a really great balance of competitive intensity on the pitch, as well as socialising and enjoyment off it. We play to a pretty good standard of hockey, with this comes a fairly full-on routine: training twice a week alongside matches both midweek and on the weekends.

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On Wednesdays, we play in the midlands tier 2 of BUCS, nestled amongst multiple teams from some of the sport uni powerhouses (Loughborough, Nottingham and Birmingham), as well as in the midlands conference cup. Despite some disappointing results last year, we still managed to avoid relegation (thank you Brookes), and are targeting a more convincing position in the top half of the table.

 

We also play in the local Saturday league, specifically south central division 1 following relegation from the premier divisions last season. The new league now puts us two divisions below the blues, but I strongly believe we are a good enough team to contend for promotion and return to where we belong.

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Alongside the standard league games, we take part in BDOTY (‘Best Day Of The Year’) every February, where each team (except the blues) plays their own varsity match against their C*mbridge counterpart, and for many is the highlight of the year. The Os have a history of tight matches in recent memory, with the last two matches both being decided on penalties. Having ended up on the wrong side of the result last year, we are looking to repeat the result of two years ago and reclaim the bragging rights in front of a packed out home crowd.

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This being said, what makes the Os such are great team to be a part of is that the intensity on the pitch is balanced with an equally good environment off the pitch. Whether it’s trips to the pub, or to park end, you can always guarantee a strong turnout of Os, as well as our chants (which are envied by the whole of the hockey club). 

I think we’ve got a very exciting season ahead of us, with a really promising group of familiar and new faces, and I can’t wait to captain the Occasionals this year.

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Tom Parry

Occasionals Captain 25/26