Sliema Hotsticks Hockey Club
| Full name | Gree Sliema Hotsticks Hockey Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 | |
| Home ground | Kordin National Hockey Centre | |
| League | Maltese National Hockey League | |
| Website | www | |
| ||
Sliema Hotsticks Hockey Club is one of the oldest field hockey clubs active in Malta. Originating from the town of Sliema the club is known for being one of the strongest and most successful clubs in Malta.
Hotsticks are known for excelling in youth development and have produced many hockey players who go on to play for the Maltese men's national team. They currently play in the top tier of the Maltese National Hockey League.
History[]
Hotsticks originated in December 1975 when Tony Caruana Smith, then teacher at Naxxar Boys Secondary School, gathered a group of 11-year-old schoolboys and started showing them the basic skills of hockey.
Only Juniors[]
In May 1977, Hotsticks Hockey Team took part in the first official HAM competition, entering two teams in an under-18 six-a-side full-pitch tournament. These Hotsticks teams were made up of under 16/14 players. Ten teams had participated in this tournament.
From then on Hotsticks competed regularly in all junior leagues and tournaments. In their first participation in junior leagues, in season 1977/78, Hotsticks won the under-14 league and were runners-up at under-16, losing only in the final to La Salle College. The competition included 8 teams while Hotsticks player David Xuereb won the HAM junior player of the year that season.
Senior National League[]
In season 1980/81, Hotsticks took part for the first time in the Senior National League. In the first two seasons the team placed last and penultimate, but enthusiasm was abounding.
In 1982/83, Hotsticks obtained 3rd place and took part in the Young Stars International tournament.
The following season, 1983/84, Hotsticks surprised all by winning the National Championship for the first time. All the players were under 20 years of age except for two.
After this glorious season, all ties with Young Stars Hockey Club were ended and Hotsticks established its own independent Club. Later the name Sliema was added to the club name to add more prestige and also because the founder and many of the original players hailed from Sliema and vicinities. There was also a significant period when the club had its clubhouse at Tigne Sliema.
Present Day[]
Indoor Hockey[]
The club were crowned champions of the final indoor league in 2014/15 and went on to compete in the EHF Indoor Championships in Gabrovo, Bulgaria.
9 a-side League[]
Hotsticks are currently the Maltese reigning champions of the 9-a-side league.
Challenge Cup[]
Sliema Hotsticks emerged as winners of the 2015 Knock Out Trophy after beating Qormi HC 3 - 2. The goals came all in the second half with Steve Portelli claiming his first hat-trick in a final. The two teams won their respective semi-finals against White Hart and Rabat respectively.
Hotsticks were also crowned champions of the Challenge Cup in the 2020/21 season, beating Qormi in the final.[1]
European Compeition[]
Sliema Hotsticks became the 2nd Maltese club to represent Malta in the European competitions organised by the European Hockey Federation. Hotsticks successfully organised the last ever in Malta in 2007. The tournament was hailed as a big success and the Hotsticks team just failed to reach the semi-finals and finished in 5th place.
Hotsticks have continued to regularly compete in Euro Hockey club events.
2020/21 Squad[]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaches
- Steve Cachia
Notable Past Players
- David Xuereb
- Keith Vella
- Andre Imbroll
- Gaetano Vella
See also[]
References[]
External links[]
- Sliema Hotsticks Official Website
- Field Hockey Forum
- The FIH - the game's international governing body
- European Hockey Federation
- Field hockey clubs in Malta
- 1975 establishments in Malta
- Field hockey clubs established in 1975
- Sliema