WITH members whose careers range from forensic scientists to school teachers, everyone is welcome at Addiscombe Hockey Club

The club, in Sandilands, has been taking young people under its wing since the 1980s, fielding eight teams every week for more than 26 years.

It also has men's and ladies' teams that play in Surrey leagues.

Members believe the club so successfully combines on-pitch achievement with great off-pitch camaraderie that it touts itself on its website as "Surrey's most sociable and friendly club".

Club captain Dan Jones has been a member for 12 years, and knows every single person at the club by name.

Mr Jones, 23, a Ford press officer who lives in Addington Village, said: "I started out as a 'colt' and then came up through the ranks. It was my sporty older sister Emma who introduced me to the club, and I haven't looked back since.

"It is so much more than a sports club, it is a small community of people from all walks of life and all ages who come together and have a laugh.

"The beauty is that we play to an extremely high level but many of our members do it just for the social enjoyment factor.

"And because we have all-men sides, all-women sides and mixed sides, there is something for everyone."

Dan, a product design graduate from Loughborough University, says he wants to encourage more people in Croydon to join the club so they too can reap the benefits, as well as help secure the club's long-term future.

He added: "Being part of such a diverse but tight group of people taught me important lessons in life, and from a very early age.

"I had a wealth of older role models, and even though I attended a mixed school [Croydon's Royal Russell], the combination of men and women created a healthy and fun atmosphere.

"Hockey is a fantastic team-building sport and I owe my strong sense of duty towards others, and also being sociable generally, to the game."

Dan expressed some sadness that hockey was becoming less popular as only private schools have easy access to AstroTurf and the right facilities.

He explained: "There are too many schools that don't offer it as a sport, instead opting for football or rugby.

"That's why we have started our fortnightly colts session, to give these kids an option to come and try hockey for free in a safe and professional environment.

"I for one can vouch that joining the club will change their lives for the better."

Anyone interested in becoming a member should e-mail Zoe Clark, the club's recruitment and communications officer, at zo1978@hotmail.co.uk. For more information visit www.addiscombe hockeyclub.co.uk.