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Wapping Hockey Club has introduced a free-of-charge Thank You NHS team in its City and Wharf Hockey League, the largest corporate summer league in London, to thank staff for their efforts in the pandemic, and in solidarity with the ongoing strikes.
The team has seen individuals from all across the NHS play a variety of teams in a series of games which have been immensely enjoyable and given staff a break from the everyday pressures of the NHS and the strikes.
The Wapping City and Wharf Hockey League has 32 teams and over 300 individuals taking part from companies all around the City. The funds raised from the league are used to run free Back to Hockey sessions for the community on a Tuesday evening, where anyone can come and learn hockey. The club is passionate about promoting an active lifestyle in Tower Hamlets to those of all ages and welcomes anyone to take part.
Last night the NHS team took on Dentons law firm in a nail-biting knock out game which culminated in 6 goals in the last 10 minutes, each one equalising the score, until it ended in the final second on a 5-5 draw.
After initially beginning 0-1 down in the first minutes, junior doctor Fred van Someren managed to equalise before half time. Finally the NHS stormed in front after mental health practitioner Pippa Jones dribbled the ball the length of the pitch to waiting medical student Devan Wasan.
Sadly the brilliant defence of respiratory consultant, Lianne Castle and radiographer Saney Williams were unable to hold off Dentons equalising with a rapid attack, but respiratory nurse Jenna Maclaren was on hand to run rings around the midfield to team captain David van Stolk who was there to finish the attack.
The team has one more game against KPMG before it finds out if it has done enough to make it into the semi-finals.
If anyone would like to take part in the NHS team, join Back to Hockey sessions, or find out more about Wapping, please email wappinghc@gmail.com
Photos: Emiel Occidental Words: Irini Kounoupias
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