Club History part II: Oaklands
About St Albans HC 3 of 11

3. Club History part II: Oaklands


In 2008 the club became a Limited Company and was granted CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club) status. In 2010, agreement was reached to build two artificial pitches and new clubroom at Oaklands College. The pitches were completed early in 2012, the clubroom opened a year later and the new facilities were officially opened on 8th September 2013.

In the 2013-14 season, the women's 1st team finished third in the National League East Conference while the men returned to the East Premier Division, where each team has stayed ever since. In 2012-13 the Women's Over 35 side won the EH Veterans Plate.

Andy Halliday and Hannah Macleod held the 1st team Head Coach positions from 2014-2017, a period during which Macleod won a 2016 Olympic Gold in Rio, as a St Albans HC player.

During the same period the club SAHC were proud to be hosts of the 2015 EuroMasters championships. Oaklands College saw the 40+, 45+, 50+and 55+ men from nations all over Europe come to compete to take home the coveted cup. SAHC also became host to England Hockey’s prestigious Futures Cup, and GB international Ellie Watton became the first ‘club development member’ (CDM), coordinating the schools project and holiday hockey camps.

Continuing to grow, innovate and diversify, the Club acquired use of a third pitch at nearby Beaumont School and launched a Flyerz disability hockey group. Trinidad and Tobago international Dillet Gilkes took over from Andy Bowskill as Director of Hockey.

A Corporate Partners scheme grew to 33 Partners in its first year, Youth and First Team Partners Schemes raised £39,000 in their first four years, while two new senior women's teams were successfully launched in 2017/18. With the planned restructuring of the England Hockey League, the club was successful in gaining promotion into these leagues. The Women's 1s were promoted into Division 1 South, with the Men’s 1s promoted to the East Conference.

With our improved facilities at Oaklands College, the club will further enhance its position as one of the major hockey centres north of London and in the East.