Underwater Hockey Wales (UHW; Welsh: Hoci Tanddwr Cymreig; HTC) is responsible for underwater hockey (also known as Octopush) in Wales. It is the association representing British Octopush Association (BOA) clubs based in Wales. Underwater Hockey Wales is affiliated to the Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs – the national governing body for underwater sports in Wales, comprising scuba diving, underwater hockey, and snorkelling.[1][2][3][4]
Underwater Hockey Wales aims to establish a structured and stable underwater hockey organization in Wales, to support individual, club and regional development. Underwater Hockey Wales is responsible for the training and management of Welsh national squads. The first training camp for the Wales national team was in November 2019 and further camps have taken place every few months.[5] Its objective is to create and maintain competitive Welsh underwater hockey squads in all categories, to compete in both regional competitions and in the BOA home international tournaments.[1][4]
Underwater Hockey Wales is also responsible for organising the Welsh national championships for Welsh clubs teams which occurs on an annual basis. The most recent edition was its 46th held in 2022.[6]
The British Octopush Association currently has four of its 70 associated clubs in Wales, a large reduction since the COVID-19 pandemic, these are: Bangor University, Cardiff and Newport, Llwchwr, and Pembroke.[7] Pembroke is Wales most successful club, often winning the Welsh national championships, and regularly qualifying in the finals of the British national championship and competing in the top division of Nautilus.[8]
- Wales national team results
- Celtic Cup
The Celtic Cup began in 2022 and is an annual tournament for Wales, Scotland, and Ireland national underwater hockey teams.
| Year | A Team | B Team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2nd | 5th | [9] |
| 2023 | Did not participate | ||
| 2024 | 2nd | — | [10] |
- Restart
A special one-off post COVID-19 restart tournament took place in August 2021 which saw the Wales national team finished first in D Division.[8]
- Welsh National Championship winners
- As of 2022
| Club | Titles | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Llwchwr | 13 | [11] |
| Pembroke | 12 | [11] |
| Cwmtawe | 3 | [12] |
| Aberystwyth University | 2 | [13] |
| Other | 16 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs". Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs website. Welsh Association of Sub Aqua Clubs. 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "HTC UHW". Hoci Tanddwr Cymreig Underwater Hockey Wales website. Hoci Tanddwr Cymreig Underwater Hockey Wales. 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Find a Club | the British Octopush Association".
- ^ a b "Competition Results | the British Octopush Association".
- ^ "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"".
- ^ "Instagram".
- ^ a b "Pembroke Octopush Club celebrate promotion and championship win". Western Telegraph. 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Past times". 17 November 2004.
- ^ "x.com".
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