Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis centre opens in the Olympic Park
The Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis centre in the Olympic Park opened to the public on Tuesday 17 June. The England Hockey stars who are currently involved in the World Cup and Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis medallists attended along with clubs, community groups and primary school pupils, as well as Newham Recorder reporter Sophie Morton. They were among the first to play on the water-based hockey pitches with their unique Union Jack design and blue tennis courts that are the same as those used at the US Open.
History of Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre
The site where Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre now stands has a rich sporting and cultural heritage dating back to the early years of the last century.
The Eton Manor Boys’ Club provided great facilities for cricket, tennis, football, boxing, bowls and athletics among other sports. “The Wilderness” sports ground was a welcome relief from the crowded East End for generations of teenage boys. For many it was a home from home. The club was founded by a group of Old Etonian philanthropists and ran through to the 1960s. It boasts many former members who became international sportsmen, including European Welterweight Boxing Champion Nicky Gargano and Olympic gold medallist Harry Mallin. The boys received coaching from many leading sportsmen over the years, including Sir Alf Ramsey and England cricket captain Douglas Jardine.
Today the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre continues in a similar vein by providing sporting opportunities for communities across the East End – and indeed across the whole region – with first rate facilities and coaching in two popular sports. The site is home to a memorial garden remembering the 20 Eton Manor Boys’ Club members killed in the First World War, and the 59 killed in the Second World War, and a tribute to the wartime leadership of Sir Winston Churchill who served with two of the club’s founders in the First World War.
The Eton Manor name lives on today through the Eton Manor Association – an active group of Eton Manor Boys' Club Old Boys; a range of thriving sports clubs in east London and further afield which carry the Eton Manor name; and the work of the Villiers Park Educational Trust, whose hosts a brief history of the club. The pictures on the film are from the club’s archive which is held by the Bishopsgate Institute.
Serve and score at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre
Experience hockey and tennis at this London 2012 venue on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. No matter your ability or age, we have a session for you. Play tennis on our state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor courts, from coached sessions and cardio tennis to Quicksticks hockey, club practice and matches on our striking Union Jack fringed pitches. We run sessions especially for special needs schools, community groups, disabled athletes and other players providing coaching, matches and competitions. View what the centre has to offer and for more info visit our website.
TBB vs Canterbury at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre April 22 2017
Canterbury 2 (1)
Harry Roberts, 16, 68 (FG, FG)
Team Bath Buccaneers 2 (1)
John Jackson, 31 (FG)
Ben Stone, 44 (FG)
A late Harry Roberts strike snatched a draw for Canterbury and strengthened their bid to secure Premier Division Hockey next season. With just two minutes to go Roberts found room in the Team Bath circle and unleashed a power reverse strike to level in their Men’s League Play-Off fixture at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Earlier Roberts had given Canterbury the lead before goals from John Jackson and Oliver Stone had put Bath into a 2-1 second half lead.
The opening exchanges were understandably cagey with so much riding on the fixture for both sides and the first effort on goal opened the scoring as Roberts slammed home on the reverse.
Shortly before the break Team Bath were level through Jackson whose goal bound shot deflected high into the air and over the back-peddling goalkeeper.
Five minutes into the second half and Team Bath were ahead through Stone who collected in the Canterbury circle and lifted high into the top left corner.
The Premier Division side pushed hard for an equaliser and when Roberts hit the bar it looked like it wouldn’t be their day, but he kept his composure when the ball fell his way once more and finished with aplomb, sparking wild scenes.
Bath created a golden chance to take all three points with seconds to go but were thwarted by the Stubbings in the Canterbury net
(Source England Hockey)
GB Hockey: winning after winning | Investec Hockey
What separates the good players from the great players, who stay motivated after success?
Bowdon High Town Hockey Club vs Wimbledon April 22 '17 at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre
Wimbledon 2 (1)
Crista Cullen, 22 (PC)
Tamsyn Naylor, 67 (FG)
Bowdon Hightown 3 (2)
Michelle Liptrot, 19 (PC)
Charlene Mason, 25 (FG)
Nat Wray, 38 (PC)
Bowdon Hightown have secured top flight status next season after beating Wimbledon 3-2 in an enthralling encounter. At the start of the day, the sides were level on three points having both won 2-1 in their opening fixtures of the Investec Women’s Hockey League Play-Offs. It was the side from Manchester who came out on top though at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Bowdon Hightown had the opportunity to take an early lead from the spot after a penalty stroke was awarded. Michelle Liptrot stepped up but was denied by a diving Rose Thomas in the Wimbledon goal. It wasn’t long before the Bowdon number nine had her goal though as she opened the scoring with a strike from a penalty corner in the 19th minute.
Wimbledon immediately forced two penalty corners from the re-start and were back on level terms within three minutes. England and Great Britain international Crista Cullen netted, firing a drag flick low into the bottom corner. In an end to end encounter, Jimmy McKenna’s side restored their lead in the 25th minute through Charlene Mason. A cross from the right was deflected on to the post by Emma McCabe before Mason reacted quickest to scramble over the line.
Bowdon Hightown made it 3-1 early in the second half when Sian French’s sweep from a penalty corner was deflected into the net by a diving Natalie Wray. Wimbledon again looked to bounce back immediately and continued to threaten from penalty corners. The battle between Cullen and Caroline Evans ensued with the goalkeeper saving with her glove. The rebound fell to injector Nikki Lloyd but she was unable to convert.
The Manchester outfit almost put the game out of Wimbledon’s reach in the 55th minute when Wray connected with Lily Wolstenholme’s cross from the left, but her effort flashed just wide of the post. Wimbledon managed to pull a goal back when Tamsyn Naylor lifted a reverse stick strike over Evans three minutes from time to set up an exciting finish. It was too little too late for the West Conference winners though and the final score remained 3-2.
The Free Flyers in conjunction with England Hockey team at Lee Valley Hockey centre
The Free Flyers are delivering an LLDC outreach initiative in conjunction with England Hockey team to introduce local children into hockey at Lee Valley Hockey centre
BEHC vs East London - T2 Championship Final - Whole Match
Blackheath and Elthamians Hockey Club vs East London - Tier 2 Championship Final at Lee Valley - Whole Match
Drone's eye view: when the world cup comes to London
The Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup comes to London this summer, and to mark 100 Days To Go, 100 children and four Olympic gold medal winners were on the pitch at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Time To Secure Your FIH Olympic Qualifier Tickets
As the FIH Olympic Qualifiers draw ever closer, now is the time to secure your seat at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on 2-3 November.
BEHC Lee Valley Cup Final 2018
Blackheath and Elthamians Hockey Club cup final match at Lee Valley - 2018
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - Sport
Whatever your sport is -- and maybe you haven't discovered it yet -- get inspired, energised and follow in the footsteps of world champions in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The Park will contain five state-of-the-art sporting venues: the Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Multi-Use Arena, the Lee Valley VeloPark and the Lee Valley Hockey Centre and Tennis Centre. These venues will provide exceptional training facilities for local people as well as visitors, and they will also become centres of excellence for elite athletes continuing the sporting legacy of London 2012
The Park will contain five state-of-the-art sporting venues: the Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Multi-Use Arena, the Lee Valley VeloPark and the Lee Valley Hockey Centre and Tennis Centre. These venues will provide exceptional training facilities for local people as well as visitors, and they will also become centres of excellence for elite athletes continuing the sporting legacy of London 2012.
25 sport and activities to choose from everyday!
Olympic Champion Russell Garcia Reflects On Seoul '88 Victory
GB Olympic champion and current assistant men's head coach Russell Garcia reflects on winning gold 30 years ago as they beat Germany 3-1.
You can still buy your tickets to watch the Anniversary International in partnership with Toshiba TVs at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre - bit.ly/2NC1i54
London Hockey Varsity 2016
KCL preparing for the London Varsity series at 6pm on the 4th March at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Featuring some of our favourite songs by Eminem, Kelly ft Cassie, Skrillex and Woodkid.
Back to Hockey at Lee Valley
Sophie Bray's stunning goal against The Netherlands
Relive the fantastic team goal - finished in style by Sophie Bray - as England came from behind to draw 2-2 with The Netherlands in the Investec International at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in June 2017.
Yarra Valley Hockey Club Season 2014
A look back at an amazing year....
Helen Richardson-Walsh opens relaid Mile End Park pitch
With the help of East London Hockey Club and Mayor John Biggs, Olympic champion Helen Richardson-Walsh officially opened the relaid Mile End Park pitch as part of a project to raise the profile of hockey in East London ahead of the 2018 Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup.
2014 Men's Investec London Cup - Jasper Takes A Tumble!
England Hockey's mascot Jasper takes a tumble before the 2014 Men's Investec London Cup game between England and Scotland at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.
Surprise for Olympic Park hockey volunteer
Hockey volunteer Hamid O'Toole is surprised during the world cup at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, where he hasn't missed a minute of a game in more than two years. It was organised as part of the National Lottery's Big Surprise scheme.