Field Hockey

Barbados Hockey Federation

Organised field hockey started in Barbados in 1958 with the founding of the Barbados Men’s Hockey Association. This body later merged with the Barbados Women’s Hockey Association to form the Barbados Hockey Federation, which has been the driving force behind the development of this sport.

The game of hockey has now grown to the point where it has its own home. This Astroturf field and stadium is located at the Garfield Sobers Complex about four miles outside of the capital Bridgetown.There are more than 20 clubs and at least 650 hockey players in Barbados and all of them participate in the national competition. There are various levels for this competition with the better teams playing at the senior level.At least four International Tournaments have been played at the Hockey Astroturf.

Hockey in Barbados is now known around the world thanks to the annual Banks International Hockey Festival, which was started in 1986. It has been described as the biggest, single, regular, international hockey event staged anywhere in the hemisphere attracting as many as 42 clubs.

So popular is the Banks festival that if you asked any hockey player around the world where they would love to be during the summer, they are sure to tell you Barbados. Some of the best players make sure they are here to participate in this yearly extravaganza sponsored by Banks Barbados Breweries.

The Banks Hockey Festival has over the years attracted teams from Barbados, the Caribbean, Britain, Europe, the United States of America, South America and even as far away as Abu Dhabi in the Middle East.