What is Underwater Hockey?
* Underwater Hockey is a 3 dimensional team sport.
* It is played below the surface of the water in a swimming pool by two teams of 10 players, 6 in the water and 4 substitutes.
* Each player is wearing basic underwater equipment, i.e. fins, mask, cap with ear protection and snorkel.
* The object of the game is to push or pass a weighted puck along the b
ottom of the pool by using an underwater hockey stick, into the opposing teams goal. A Sport Less Ordinary...
The duration of the game is 30 minutes divided into two periods of 15 minutes, with a 3 minute break at half time, where the teams change ends. 2 in Water Referees and one out of water Referee control the match. The game first appeared in the late 1950's and was invented by the British Navy to help train their Navy Divers. At present many national and international tournaments are carried out up to World Championships for men-, women-, Masters and youth teams. The World Championships generally has about 40 countries wanting to compete. These are paired down to play in the main tournament of 16 teams. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France and Holland are generally considered to be the top teams in the world. New Zealand won the elite Men's and Holland won the elite Women's in the world championships for the first time in 2004. These teams train everyday of the week during the run up to major championships and their countries sports association are willing to support these athletes with significant resources to accomplish their goals. How did Underwater Hockey make it to Ireland
Underwater Hockey was first introduced to Ireland in the early Eighty's by Aquatec Sub Aqua Club. The activity soon spread around a number of diving clubs like Viking, Irish, Currah, Ennis, Limerick and the Garda SAC. This unfortunately did not develop into much as a heavy-handed approach was taken to the early game that resulted in to a fair few damaged index fingers! As a result only two teams (Aquatec & Viking) battled it out for a number of years until in 1993 when a team was sent to the European Championship in Sheffield, UK. This turned out to be quiet an experience for the boys as they only scored one goal in the whole tournament and conceded many more. Since this date the two clubs have joined forces and are now known as the Dublin Underwater Hockey Team. Fortunately this experience forced us to change the way the game was played in Ireland and greater success has followed.. Bank Account Details for Subs etc. Bank of Ireland Blackrock
BIC BOFIIE2D
IBAN IE48BOFI90102848104810
