Emily Campbell, the new chairperson of Stroud Hockey Club, is something of an all-rounder, both on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, the 33-year-old reckons she has played in every position apart from goalkeeper, while off the field she has held a number of positions of responsibility.

“I was fixtures secretary for the ladies’ section for nine years and I was vice-captain of the 1^st XI for four seasons,” she said.

She also coaches the girls’ under-12s and under-14s so it’s fair to say that the club, and hockey, is a big part of her life.

Campbell, a former Rednock School pupil, grew up in Cam and has been playing hockey since the age of 11.

“I started off as right-back, but I’m sort of a utility player,” she said. “This season I’m moving to be one of the forwards.”

And this season she’ll again be playing for the 1^st XI where she has been a permanent fixture for a decade.

The flagship ladies’ team play in West Hockey Berkeley Division 1 and although she enjoys playing anywhere she says that right-back is her favourite position.

“I love having the wing to run up and down and not have the pressure to score,” she said.

That’s going to change this season, of course, but whatever happens it’s a guarantee that she will give her all for the club.

She has stepped up to captain the side when required but in her new role as chairperson – she replaced John Osborn – she will now be involved in all aspects of the club.

“I chair our committee meetings,” she said. “I’m there to help anyone on the committee with their roles.”

Campbell, an environmental consultant, will be in the position for a maximum of two years but she will certainly be looking to help the club continue to grow.

“Hockey is thriving in Stroud,” she said. “This season is our second season for the ladies’ 4ths and the men are running a 4^th team for the first time this season.

“We’ve got a lot of youngsters coming through and we want to give them games in adult hockey. They start playing at 14 and they are absolutely ready.”

Campbell is absolutely ready for the new season, of course.

She played just one game for the 2nds when she first joined before being pushed up to the 1sts and readily admits that she prefers playing to anything else.

“I want to keep playing for as long as I can,” she said. “I love playing team sport.”

The men, meanwhile, will be led on the pitch by a familiar face with long-serving former captain Dan Clifford taking charge once again. The men play in West Hockey Division 2 East.

Clifford had a two-year break from leading the team after previously being in charge for 11 years and he says his target is promotion to Division 1 North.

“I still have enough drive to want to do it,” he said. “I think with the squad we’ve got we can be there or thereabouts. The players deserve to play at a higher level.”

The 40-year, who has played up front for much of his career, will continue to play in the defensive midfield role that he took on under previous joint captains Callum King and Jack Richards.

It’s a role he enjoys. He played West of England Masters in the position last season and hopes to play for them again in 2025/26. 

“The biggest difference between the two roles is that although I now travel further on the pitch, it’s at a more constant pace,” he said. “Up front there are a lot of short, sharp sprints.

“I’m clocking up some miles on a Saturday but I can still just about find some top-end speed, I can still keep up with the younger lads!”

Clifford is hoping that his new spell as captain lasts for no longer than two years – “I’d like to think that someone will be prepared to take it on,” he said – and he’s already got his eyes on 2028 when the club will celebrate their centenary.

Clifford, who has been involved with the club for more than 25 years, will be heavily involved in those celebrations, of course, but while the club are obviously very proud of their history, Clifford is looking to the future too.

The club are based at Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Clifford said: “I’m desperately hoping to give something tangible to the next generation.

“The big thing that we really want is our own clubhouse.”