It’s a Tuesday, just after sunset. I am dressed in my old running clothes, clutching a borrowed hockey stick, and sporting a slightly glassy grin. People shouldering kitbags are arriving, smiling, introducing themselves. In exactly four days, I will play in my first ever competitive hockey match.

I still don’t quite know how I got from ‘Yes, that sounds fun’ to ‘I’m playing a hockey match on Saturday!’ I’m really not an impulsive, seat-of-my-pants-type. I’m an organiser; a prolific list-maker; an early holiday-booker. I do know that, back in September, I was eyeing my approaching 50th birthday and itching for a new challenge, something for me. I was looking into tap-dancing (blame lockdown zoom classes for that one). Then hockey was – there is no other word for it – gifted to me.

I agreed to go with my friend to the next Brighton Rogues training session. I had enjoyed hockey at school (without being particularly good at it), but I hadn’t picked up a hockey stick for 33 years and I was keen to see if I remembered which end to hold. The next morning saw me raiding my daughter’s PE kit for long socks and shin guards, and digging out my battered trainers. Later, as we arrived at Falmer Sports Complex, I was feeling a slightly queasy combination of nerves and shyness. I needn’t have worried. Everybody there was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and helpful. It felt wonderful to run (jog!) around and hit a ball about for an hour with a group of warm, kind people. Immediately after that first training session, I messaged: ‘I’d love to sign up. What do I need to do?’ A few clicks later, I was officially a Rogue.

I may have come across as a little too enthusiastic on that first evening, because I was invited to play in a league match that very weekend. I wasn’t sure about this – I had only a very hazy idea of the rules and I was worried about my fitness. Wouldn’t I be a liability? The response couldn’t have been kinder or wiser: ‘You are SUPER welcome. Playing is how you get better’. So I said yes. And then I bought a gum shield.

The Rogues match on September 23rd, 2023, was my first experience of playing competitive team sport as an adult. It was both daunting and amazing. I’d never before been part of changing room chatter, a pre-game huddle (‘Go RRRRRRRRRRogues’) or on-pitch camaraderie. That feeling when you see one of your teammates score, or do a great tackle! I really wanted to play well for my team. Sensitive to my total lack of knowledge, I was given clear instructions and lots of support from those around me. Afterwards, we all put in our nominations for Rogue of the Match (for excellent play) and Banana of the Match (for daftest thing said or done).

Quite quickly I realised that, if I was going to be playing matches regularly, I needed to sort out some proper kit. I treated myself to a new hockey stick and added a few basic bits from Decathlon, plus a pair of hockey shoes from Vinted. I dropped unsubtle hints for Christmas. Finally – most importantly – I picked out my shirt name and number. I felt like a proper hockey player. Well, most of the time…

Altogether, I played in 17 league matches. Some we won and some we lost (none were draws). Some days I played badly, some days I played better. The one constant across all of those games was the unwavering support and encouragement from other Rogues. Words of encouragement and praise. Hugs of consolation and solace. Practical tips and advice. Whether we won or lost, we played as a team. It was a revelation.

The 2023/2024 season has now finished, and I’m surprised at how much I miss playing hockey twice a week. After 8 months of regular training and matches, I am a fitter, better, more confident player. Thanks to supportive friends, family, and of course all of the Rogues, this 50-year-old has finally discovered the joys of team sport. I guess tap dancing can wait a while longer.