Wikipedia

Underwater hockey in Great Britain

Underwater hockey in Great Britain was first played in Southsea, Hampshire where it was invented in 1954.[1] It is governed nationally by the British Octopush Association.

Underwater hockey in Great Britain
An underwater hockey match during the 2009 Student Nationals in Bangor
CountryGreat Britain
Governing bodyBritish Octopush Association
National team(s)Great Britain
Nickname(s)Octopush
UWH
First played1954 in Southsea, Hampshire
National competitions
Club competitions

History

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Underwater hockey was started by Alan Blake in 1954. Blake was a founder-member of the then newly formed Southsea Sub-Aqua Club, he and other divers including John Ventham, Jack Willis, and Frank Lilleker first played this game in the Guildhall Baths in Portsmouth.[1][2] CMAS (the world governing body for underwater hockey) however, still states on its website that the sport originated with the Royal Navy in the same time period.

The first rules were tested in a 1954 two-on-two game and Alan Blake made the following announcement in the November 1954 issue of the British Sub-Aqua Club's then-official magazine Neptune: "Our indoor training programme is getting under way, including wet activities other than in baths, and our new underwater game "Octopush". Of which more later when we have worked out the details".[3]

The first underwater hockey competition was a three-way tournament between teams from Southsea, Bournemouth and Brighton underwater hockey clubs in early 1955. Southsea won, and are still highly ranked at national level today winning 20 out of 52 national championships, which have been played annually since 1969.[4]

Great Britain's men's national team played in the first Underwater Hockey World Championships in 1980, finishing as runners-up up. Great Britain's women's national team first World Championships appearance was the fifth edition (fourth with a women's tournament) in 1988, resulting in a fourth-place finish.[5]

Both men's and women's teams competed in the first edition of the European Championships in 1985, held at Crystal Palace Aquatics Centre, London, with both teams winning gold.[6] The UK hosted the tournament again in 1993, this time at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.[7][8] In the next edition, in 1995, the women's team claimed a second gold medal in the tournament[9] with a third coming in 2008,[10] and a fourth in 2010.[11]

Great Britain's first gold medal in the World Championships was in 2002 in the U-19 men's division, with further golds coming in the 2009 and 2011 women's tournament.[5]

The country, hosted its first World Championships in 2006, and its first Junior World Championships in 2019, both at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.[12][13]

The sport was badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing the majority of tournaments in 2020 and 2021 cancelled; in addition to 41 clubs out of the 114 registered at the start of the pandemic (36%) folding.[14]

Today there are 70 clubs registered with the British Octopush Association (68 British and 2 Irish).[15]

Organisation

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Main article: British Octopush Association

Underwater hockey is govererned nationally in Great Britain by the British Octopush Association (BOA) and has been since 1976. They were recognised as the official governing body for the sport a year later by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), governing body for all sub-aqua sport in the United Kingdom, who also still govern the sport but to a limited extended. In 2013 the BOA affiliated itself to BSAC. The BOA runs the Great Britain national team at all levels and is responsible for major national competitions.[16][17]

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

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Scotland and Wales have their own governing bodies for underwater hockey that work with the BOA, Scottish Underwater Hockey and Underwater Hockey Wales respectively. These organise regional competitions for the respective home nations and also run national teams. However the use of the Scottish and Welsh national teams is limited with the Great Britain side being favoured for the majority of competitions.[18][19][20][21]

Underwater hockey in Ireland operates as part of an all-Ireland basis. Therefore, the control in Northern Ireland is that of Comhairle Fo-Thuinn not the BOA.[22]

Together with Ireland's Comhairle Fo-Thuinn, Scottish Underwater Hockey and Underwater Hockey Wales organise the Cetic Cup for national teams of the three nations. The tournament began in 2022.

Celtic Cup results
Year Venue 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Ref.
2022   
Haverfordwest 		  Scotland A   Wales A   Ireland B   Ireland A   Wales B   Scotland B [23]
2023   
Kirkwall 		Reformatted due to lack of competitors:
Orkney (rep. Scotland) vs Limerick (rep. Ireland) 		[24]
2024   
Limerick 		  Scotland A   Wales A   Scotland B Merrows (c) Belfast (c) — [25]

(c) = club team

Demographics

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Of the 68 British clubs associated with the BOA, 56 are English, 8 are Scottish, and 4 are Welsh. 10 of the 68 clubs are student clubs, these clubs are associated with the universities of Aberdeen, Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster, Liverpool, Oxford, Sterling, Plymouth, York, and Warwick. In addition, the BOA had three associated Irish clubs.[15]

Competitions

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Ponds Forge, Sheffield regularly hosts major underwater competitions. The Olympic-sized swimming pool can be split into three courts.

The BOA operates all major underwater hockey competitions in the UK including the National Championships, Nautilus, Ladies National Championships, Veterans Championship, Student Nationals, and Junior Nationals.[26][27][28] Other competitions also run throughout the year.

In the UK, the majority of club competitions are mixed-sex.

Competitions are usually held at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds or Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

National Championship

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The national championships are a multi round tournament beginning with qualifiers after new year and the finals in late spring or early summer. The winners of the BOA national championships are:[29][30]

2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s
  • 2019 Southsea
  • 2018 Southsea
  • 2017 Southsea
  • 2016 Southsea
  • 2015 Southsea
  • 2014 Southsea
  • 2013 Southport
  • 2012 Southsea
  • 2011 Southport
  • 2010 Southport
  • 2009 Southsea
  • 2008 Southport
  • 2007 Southport
  • 2006 Team Ealing
  • 2005 Southport
  • 2004 Southport
  • 2003 Southport
  • 2002 Reading
  • 2001 Reading
  • 2000 Reading
  • 1999 Reading
  • 1998 West Wickham
  • 1997 Southsea
  • 1996 Southsea
  • 1995 The Club
  • 1994 Leeds
  • 1993 Southsea
  • 1992 Southsea
  • 1991 Harlow
  • 1990 Harlow
  • 1989 Harlow
  • 1988 Harlow
  • 1987 Harlow
  • 1986 Harlow
  • 1985 West Wickham
  • 1984 West Wickham
  • 1983 Harlow
  • 1982 Harlow
  • 1981 Harlow
  • 1980 Harlow
  • 1979 Harlow
  • 1978 Harlow
  • 1977 Harlow
  • 1976 Southsea
  • 1975 Southsea
  • 1974 Aquatic Club
  • 1973 Southsea
  • 1972 Southsea
  • 1971 Southsea
  • 1970 Southsea
  • 1969 Southsea

Nautilus Competition

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The Nautilus competition is an annual national mini-league tournament held in the autumn. Winners are:[31][30]

2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s
  • 2024 West Wickham
  • 2023 Southsea
  • 2022 Southsea
  • 2021 Southsea
  • 2020 Cancelled
  • 2019 Southsea
  • 2018 Southsea
  • 2017 Southsea
  • 2016 Southsea
  • 2015 Southsea
  • 2014 Southport
  • 2013 Southsea
  • 2012 Southsea
  • 2011 Southsea
  • 2010 Southport
  • 2009 Southport
  • 2008 Southsea
  • 2007 Southsea
  • 2006 Southport
  • 2005 Southsea
  • 2004 Southport
  • 2003 Southport
  • 2002 Reading
  • 2001 Southport
  • 2000 Reading
  • 1999 Slough
  • 1998 Reading
  • 1997 Reading
  • 1996 Southsea
  • 1995 Leeds
  • 1994 The Club
  • 1993 West Wickham
  • 1992 Southsea
  • 1991 Southsea
  • 1990 Harlow
  • 1989 Northampton
  • 1988 Harlow
  • 1987 Harlow
  • 1986 Harlow

Ladies Championship

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The ladies only national championship is usually held in late winter or early spring. Winners are:[32][30]

2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s
  • 2024 London Ladies
  • 2023 London Ladies
  • 2022 London Ladies
  • 2021 Cancelled
  • 2020 London Ladies
  • 2019 South West Ladies
  • 2018 London Ladies
  • 2017 London Ladies
  • 2016 London Ladies
  • 2015 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 2014 London Ladies
  • 2013 South West Ladies
  • 2012 South West Ladies
  • 2011 North West Ladies
  • 2010 South West Ladies
  • 2009 North West Ladies
  • 2008 South West Ladies
  • 2007 South West Ladies
  • 2006 South West Ladies
  • 2005 South West Ladies
  • 2004 South West Ladies
  • 2003 South West Ladies
  • 2002 South West Ladies
  • 2001 Wahine Warriors
  • 2000 Spectrum Angels
  • 1999 Cheltenham and Bristol
  • 1998 Spectrum Angels
  • 1997 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1996 Spectrum Angels
  • 1995 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1994 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1993 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1992 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1991 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1990 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1989 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1988 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1987 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1986 Yorkshire Ladies
  • 1985 London Ladies
  • 1984 S.E.W.O.C.

Veterans Championship

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From 2018 to 2022, the BOA held the veterans championship for player over 50, winners of the competition are:[30]

2020s 2010s
  • 2019 Southern
  • 2018 South East

Student Nationals

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British underwater hockey student national were formalised as a BOA event for the first time in 2020. Previous events were informally organised by participating universities, with one university hosting.[33][30] The first formal BOA student nationals was to be held at The Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry before being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent events have been held at John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds. Winning universities are:[a]

2020s 2010s 2000s
  • 2009 Unknown
  • 2008 Unknown
  • 2007 Unknown
  • 2006 Unknown

Junior Nationals

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Junior nations is currently split into five age categories, the top category has varied through history and is currently an U-21s competition. Winners of the competitions are:[30]

U-21s

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2020s 2010s
  • 2024 No Competition
  • 2023 Northern Lights
    (U-21)
  • 2022 South West
    (U-19)
  • 2021 Cancelled
  • 2020 Cancelled
  • 2019 South West
    (U-19)
  • 2018 North
    (U-18)

U-16s

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2020s 2010s
  • 2019 Batley
  • 2018 South West

U-14s

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2020s 2010s
  • 2019 South West
  • 2018 South West

U-12s

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2020s 2010s
  • 2019 Pembroke
  • 2018 South West

U-10s

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2020s
  • 2024 No Competition
  • 2023 South West

4s

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In 2024, the BOA started an 4s tournament to be held in the winter (W) and summer (S) of each year. Winners of the competitions are:[30]

2020s
  • 2024W South West

Restart

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A special one-off post COVID-19 restart tournament took place in August 2021 and was won by Southsea.[30]

Other competitions

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Outside of the above tournaments which are organised by the BOA and apart of the BOA calendar. A number of other underwater hockey competitions occur in Great Britain on a more local or invitational level. These include, but are not limited to:

National team

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The BOA currently operate elite, masters, under 24s, and under 19s teams for both the men's and women's Great Britain squads.[35] Training camps are usually held across one weekend in odd numbered months.[36]

Medal table

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Underwater Hockey World Championships
[b] Men's Elite Women's Elite Men's Masters Women's Masters Men's U-24 Women's U-24 Men's U-19 Women's U-19 T
  0 2009, 2011 2 0 0 0 0 2002 1 0 3
  1980, 1990 2 2013, 2018 2 1994, 1998, 2016 3 2006 1 0 0 2004, 2006 2 2004, 2006 2 12
  1984, 2009, 2016, 2023 4 1994 1 1996, 2002, 2013 3 2013 1 2019, 2024 2 2013, 2015 3 2017, 2019 2 0 16
T 6 5 6 2 2 2 5 2 30
Underwater Hockey European Championships
[c] Men's Elite Women's Elite T
  1985 1 1985, 1995, 2008, 2010 4 5
  2008, 2017 2 1993, 2019 2 4
  1999, 2019 2 1997, 1999, 2001, 2017 4 6
T 5 10 15

Tournaments hosted

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Event Location
1985 European Championships Crystal Palace Aquatics Centre, London
1993 European Championships Ponds Forge, Sheffield
2006 World Championships
2019 Junior World Championships

Notes

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  1. ^ Reference for 2012 to 2019:[34]
  2. ^ References: For Pre-2015:[37]
    For 2013:[38]
    For 2011:[39]
    For 2009:[40]
  3. ^ References: For 1885:[41]
    For 1993-2001 (women):[42]
    For 1999:[43]
    For 2008:[44]

References

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  1. ^ a b Blake, A. "Octopush: An original name invented on the same night as Octopush an original sport was invented". Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. ^ "First Underwater Swimming Gala". Portsmouth Evening News. 1955-03-15. p. 8. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  3. ^ "Round the Branches: It's Back to the Baths", Neptune Vol. 1 No. 3, November 1954. p. 10.
  4. ^ "The British Octopush Association - History". Gbuwh.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  5. ^ a b "World Championship Results". 19 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Octopush". The Observer. 1985-06-23. p. 39. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  7. ^ "Underwater hockey team look to Worlds". Evening Herald. 2005-06-15. p. 102.
  8. ^ Naughton, Lindie (2005-05-18). "Water World". Evening Herald. p. 70.
  9. ^ "Team Member is Selected for World Championships in Underwater Hockey".
  10. ^ "GB Ladies Golden Glory (Bulletin 145) | the British Octopush Association".
  11. ^ "13th CMAS Underwater Hockey European Championship".
  12. ^ "2006 - 14th World Underwater Hockey Championship Final - Sheffield, United Kingdom 15th August to 24th August 2006". www.underwaterhockey-archive.com. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  13. ^ "2006 CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships, Sheffield, UK (Official Website)". 2006 World Championship Committee. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  14. ^ Figure achieved using Wayback Machine on the BOA Club List, using the number listed clubs on the May 2020 snapshot (114) and the September 2021 snapshot (73).
  15. ^ a b "Find a Club | the British Octopush Association".
  16. ^ Underwood, Cliff. "How the BOA was formed". British Octopush Association. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Which sports do we recognise?". Sport England. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  18. ^ "Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs". Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs website. Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs. 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  19. ^ "Octopush, Welcome to Underwater Hockey and WASAC". Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs website. Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs. 2009. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  20. ^ "NGB websites:About us:Sport Wales-Chwaraeon Cymru". Sport Wales -Chwaraeon Cymru website. Sport Wales. 2010. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  21. ^ "HTC UHW". Hoci Tanddwr Cymreig Underwater Hockey Wales website. Hoci Tanddwr Cymreig Underwater Hockey Wales. 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  22. ^ "Underwater Hockey Ireland".
  23. ^ "Underwater Hockey Wales on Instagram: "Some photos from yesterday's inaugural Celtic Cup where we had both our a and B teams competing. We would like to thank our sponsors of Milford Haven Port Authority, @parfittscarpets, Bentfish Design and @merrows.shop for supporting us in hosting yesterday's Celtic Cup tournament. See you next year!@underwaterhockeyireland @scottishuwh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #underwaterhockey #octopush #celticnations #walessport"".
  24. ^ https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=818945910239046&id=100063709321638
  25. ^ https://www.instagram.com/uwhlimerick/p/C8SkMdhMrRV/?img_index=1
  26. ^ "Competitions". British Octopush Association. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  27. ^ "Welsh & Scottish Championships". British Octopush Association. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  28. ^ Underwood, Cliff. "UK OCTOPUSH COMPETITIONS". underwaterhockey-archive.com/. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  29. ^ "National Club Championships | the British Octopush Association". Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h "Competition Results | the British Octopush Association".
  31. ^ "Nautilus | the British Octopush Association". Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  32. ^ "Ladies National Club Championships | the British Octopush Association". Archived from the original on 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  33. ^ "Competitions Info | the British Octopush Association". Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  34. ^ https://mobile.twitter.com/aberuwh
  35. ^ "Team GB | the British Octopush Association". Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  36. ^ "Events | the British Octopush Association".
  37. ^ "World Championship Results". 19 April 2012.
  38. ^ https://www.gbuwh.co.uk/news/18th-world-championships-summary-bulletin-231
  39. ^ https://www.gbuwh.co.uk/news/golden-girls-yet-again!-bulletin-206
  40. ^ https://www.gbuwh.co.uk/news/boa-bulletin-172;-congratulations-to-gb-squads-in-slovenia
  41. ^ "Octopush". The Observer. 1985-06-23. p. 39. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  42. ^ "Team Member is Selected for World Championships in Underwater Hockey".
  43. ^ "Tournament Schedule and Results".
  44. ^ "GB Ladies Golden Glory (Bulletin 145) | the British Octopush Association".
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