We recently got in touch with OC David Harris (75) as he informed us that (on his birthday) he was having a ‘lovely’ day training with the England O65s hockey squad at Southgate Hockey Club. We thought we should find out more, and have since discovered that upon leaving Churcher's over 50 years ago, David has continued his love for the game, playing for Club, County and Country...

David started playing hockey in his first year at Churcher's, becoming the Captain for the 1st XI in his final year. He was selected for County level but was prevented from pursuing any achievement at this level by his father, who said that he considered David was playing too much hockey and that he must choose between School, Club and County. David chose Club and School hockey as it gave him the greater number of opportunities to play.

In his mid 20s, he was persuaded to leave Petersfield Hockey Club to join Havant and played for their 1st XI before concluding that he much preferred the Club spirit at Petersfield and returned.  David was at Petersfield Hockey Club for 24 years during which time he served as 1st XI Captain, Club Treasurer and Club Chairman at various times.

David and his wife Sue moved to Leamington Spa in 1996 and David joined Warwick Hockey Club at the tender age of 39 and played for the 1st XI. He played his last game for the 1st team aged 53. He was awarded Player of the Season and Golden ‘Boot’ at the age of 49 for the 1st XI. 

As well as holding numerous roles within the Club, David has many notable achievements, including:

- Represented Midlands Masters O45s (whilst O50), O50s, 055s O60 & O65s

- Selected for England Masters O50s, O55s, O60s & O65s

- Won 4 Home Nation gold medals for England O50s, 055s & O60s

- Won a Silver medal at the O60s Masters World Cup for England O60s in Barcelona 

- Won the Tier 1 Masters O60s Cup final at Lee Valley in 2018 and in 2022

- David has annually guested for Banbury Hockey Club at overseas Masters Tournaments in Holland, Belgium and France with many winning and running up medals and was voted Player of the Tournament in Belgium in 2003 (and has a large rather ugly (according to Sue) trophy for proof somewhere in the house!)

David is currently in the England O65s squad and last weekend played in the Home Nations tournament, winning all three matches. He will also be fyling out to Tokyo at the end of October for the World Cup. We wish him the best of luck, and hope that he comes back to play in the OC team at OC Day next year, he is an inspiration to many to continue with sport long after leaving school.