Three talented juniors from Bedford Hockey Club were selected to represent the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Under 12 Team at the National Sikh Games 2025, held at Brunel University this weekend.
Despite some players only receiving two hours of training at Bedford Hockey Club earlier in the week — and with one of them, goalkeeper Vihaan Sira, having never played hockey before — the team showed incredible determination, teamwork, and skill.
Their hard work paid off as the team went on to win the tournament, earning the title of Under 12 Hockey Champions of the 2025 Sikh Games.
Bedford’s junior, Gurvir Sira was instrumental in the team’s success, scoring seven out of the nine goals scored, leaving him with the title of the tournament’s top scorer.
Meanwhile, Vihaan Sira delivered an outstanding debut performance in goal, keeping a clean sheet throughout the tournament against strong competition.
Triple international gold
In the north of the UK, three Bedford Hockey Club players stepped out for England over the same weekend, competing in the Great Britain & Ireland Masters’ Home Nations Championship in Glasgow.
Kate Costin, Kelly Bingham and Rebecca Budd were all part of the table topping England teams in their age groups; the Over 40s, Over 45s and Over 50s, all remaining undefeated across the three days of competition.
Kate Costin was a key goal scorer for the England Women’s over 40s, bagging a total of five goals, which saw England victorious, Wales second, Scotland third and Ireland placed fourth.
Kelly Bingham was in action for the England over 45s, also getting on the scorecard. The final standings again saw England as table toppers, ahead of Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
It was an England debut for Rebecca Budd, made all the more special by returning home with the gold medal.
It was also a special weekend back at Bedford Hockey Club’s Chester Road home ground.
For the past few months, a collaboration between Bedford Borough Council, Bedford Sports Foundation and Bedford Hockey Club has been coming to fruition.
Two newly laid pitches provide premier quality playing surfaces for hockey and football and will see use by Bedford Hockey Club as well as a number of local football teams, including Queen’s Park Crescent Football.
Students attending Biddenham International School and Sports College, who utilise the amenities throughout the school year, as well as other schools across the Bedford area, will also gain significant benefits from accessing the upgraded pitches.
The very first matches to be played on the pitches, by Bedford Hockey Club, took place on Saturday with some intra-club games, beginning with the club’s women’s masters in the morning, followed by the men’s 4th, 5th, and 6th XIs.
The official Grand Opening of the facilities takes place on 6 September, with a range of demonstration matches, from Juniors, Walking Hockey to Men’s and Ladies’ 1st XI, and also featuring local football teams.
Words by Jean Fitch & Sandeep Sira
