Clitheroe Blackburn Northern is England's hockey club of the year

Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Hockey Club (CBN) is celebrating after being crowned national club of the year.

It was an historic moment for grassroots sport in the area after club overcame stiff opposition to win the award which they were presented with at the prestigious awards night at Athena in Leicester.

After previously being named North West Club of the Year, CBN went up against Blueharts, Old Merchant Taylor’s, Leek , Henley, East Grinstead, Morpeth and Plymouth Lions at national level and were thrilled to emerge victorious.

The award recognises clubs which provide a friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment, create strong community connections, support players and volunteers, demonstrate good governance and leadership, and provide a comprehensive playing and non-playing offer for people of all ages and abilities.

For CBN, the award is the result of years of resilience, hard work and belief. Over the last 20 years, the club has had to move home six times due to the loss of suitable hockey facilities, often caused by venues converting artificial pitches into 4G football surfaces.

Once based in the heart of Clitheroe at Ribblesdale School, the club was eventually forced to move out of the town when no suitable hockey pitch remained locally.

After years of uncertainty and moving across the county, the club found what it now proudly calls home at Westholme School in Blackburn.

The partnership between the club and Westholme has become central to CBN’s success, allowing grassroots hockey to flourish and giving the club the stability it desperately needed and has done for the last four years.

CBN chairman Jez Palmer, who is also the chairman of Lancashire Hockey, said: “Winning National Club of the Year is an incredible moment for everyone connected to Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Hockey Club.

“This award belongs to every player, parent, coach, volunteer, umpire, sponsor and supporter who has helped keep the club going and helped us grow through some challenging years.

“There were times when, without the support from our loyal players and parents and the welcome we received from Westholme School, the club may not have survived and folded like many clubs do and will continue to do with all the instability.

“To now be stood here as England Hockey National Club of the Year winners is something very special. It shows what can happen when people believe in grassroots sport, community and opportunity.”

The club boasts around 250 adult and junior players, developing from having one men’s team and two ladies’ teams to now preparing for 2026/27 season with four men’s teams and the same number of ladies’ teams, alongside a thriving junior section with teams from Under-8s to Under-16s age categories.

However, the club is clear that its success is about far more than match results and teams. CBN has focused on making hockey accessible to as many people as possible, providing different ways to take part including beginners’ hockey, walking hockey, social hockey, junior hockey and competitive league hockey.

This season, 33 junior players were selected for Lancashire, with two players selected for the Tensworth Academy, a regional performance programme, and six players selected for the North West England Hockey Talent Academy.

The club also has a growing masters section, with players representing the North West from over-35s through to over-65s, as well as Welsh international indoor players and international masters players.

The club is fundraising to develop its facilities and is looking to raised more than £53,000.

Anyone interested in getting involved, giving hockey a try, juniors and adults, men's and ladies, then please get in touch with club.

Any person or business interested in partnering with the club or supporting through sponsorship, can contact 07825 771762 or visit www.cbnhockey.co.uk