England Hockey has confirmed that we have been awarded the clubs 1st accreditation. This is a national award recognises that O.B.H.C has attained the high standards specified  for this award by England Hockey for our junior members in child protection, coaching, first aid, playing facilities, provision of competitive games and overall safety and well-being.

Clubs 1st is a beacon for parents of current and prospective junior members which gives them the assurance and comfort that their children are properly protected by the club, that they are coached to the highest of standards, that the clubs hockey and social facilities are of the best in the country and that checks and controls which every parent expects are in place.

The assessment by England Hockey is a rigorous process, preparation for which has taken about a year and has involved the compilation of a 2 inch thick submission, many club members attending courses in the areas mentioned above a thorough review of our club infrastructure and procedures and the attendance of England Hockey officer at one of our junior coaching sessions. Only 15 clubs in England, and we are the 3rd club in Kent, have achieved this. The award of clubs 1st automatically triggers the award to us of Club Mark by Sport England. Certificates for both are on their way and will be displayed in the pavilion. 

The England Hockey Web-site says this about us:

Congratulations to Old Bordenians of Kent on achieving their Clubs 1st accreditation. OBHC are a club on the up with the recent development of their pavilion being swiftly followed by the award of the accreditation and now the club.
Alan Wilson must be congratulated on the personal effort that he has put in, not only in making the Junior Section the huge success that it is, but also towards the whole club and their facilities.  Clearly such success is not due to one person however, and the sheer number of coaches attending training sessions highlights the importance that the club places on its junior section.  The club as a whole should be congratulated on their achievement. 

Go to the England hockey web-site at www.englandhockey.co.uk - - click on  regions then south.

Also, in recognition of the high standards which we achieve, Kent Active Sports (KAS) has entered into a formal partnership with Old Bordenian HC whereby our club will promote junior hockey and carry out the development of junior hockey in swale on behalf of KAS.

Congratulations to all who have contributed to the attainment of these high standards. Lets constantly  monitor ourselves so that those standards are maintained and indeed, driven even higher.

Regards, Alan Wilson