St Albans Hockey Club have expressed sheer delight after earning a major national accreditation qualification.

The Tangerines, based at Oaklands College, has achieved the prestigious ClubMark accreditation, becoming one of a select number of hockey clubs in England to have been awarded the accreditation.  

ClubMark is a cross-sport accreditation scheme for community clubs run by Sport England that has raised the standards of delivery, welfare and programmes within clubs.

The club's CEO, Becky Turner, said: "Achieving ClubMark is an important step in ensuring St Albans Hockey Club operates to a set of core criteria and has good practices in place, so the club can deliver quality hockey in a sustainable and positive club environment."

Club president Rich Baylis added: "The leadership and management team started to implement plans for this accreditation in early 2020.

"We are delighted that everyone’s hard work, dedication and focus to achieve ClubMark has paid off.

"A very special thanks goes to Anne Hoitink who, on behalf of the club, has led the project and worked closely with England Hockey and key members of the management team and board to provide the supporting evidence required." 

More information about ClubMark can be found at www.englandhockey.co.uk/deliver/running-a-club/clubmark

The club were originally formed in 1898 and now run 18 teams for men and women with more than 300 senior playing members aged between 14 and 70+.

They also have over 500 social members and in excess of 400 youth members.