Club Spotlight – Bray Hockey Club
October 28, 2025
This week in our Club Spotlight, we’re shining a light on Bray Hockey Club, based at Loreto Secondary School and Temple Carrig Secondary School, Greystones in Bray, Co. Wicklow. The club continues to do brilliant work both on and off the pitch, creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone involved in the sport.
Throughout October, Bray Hockey Club has proudly teamed up with Down Syndrome Ireland for Down Syndrome Awareness Month, showing their ongoing commitment to inclusion and to supporting their fantastic Hockey ID team – the Brayvers.
To mark the month, the club has run several great initiatives — including encouraging participation in the Purple Run, a Sip, Snack & Support Day, and an Intro to Umpiring session — with all proceeds going directly to Down Syndrome Ireland.
The Purple Run
Bray is especially proud of Sophie O’Connell, a member of the Brayvers, who’s been named a Purple Run Ambassador for Down Syndrome Ireland.
The Purple Run is a virtual challenge where participants run, walk, or jog 42km throughout October to raise funds and awareness for people with Down Syndrome across Ireland. Bray HC are fully behind Sophie and this brilliant initiative, encouraging their members and the wider community to get involved and show their support.
You can donate directly through the fundraising page: https://purplerun.ie/team/bray-hockey-club8061
Sip, Snack & Support Day
On Saturday, October 11th, Bray Hockey Club hosted a Sip, Snack & Support Day — as a full fixture list of home games took place.
Supporters were encouraged to pop down, enjoy the matches, grab a treat, and watch some of the fantastic games, with all donations going to Down Syndrome Ireland. It was a great success and a wonderful reminder of the strong sense of community within the club raising over €550 on the day!
Intro to Umpiring – “Be Brayve, Blow the Whistle”
Bray also ran an Intro to Umpiring workshop designed to help new and developing umpires gain confidence and experience in a fun, supportive environment.
The session included both classroom and on-pitch learning with beginners, novice, and intermediate umpires present. Everyone who signed up also received a free Fox40 whistle with the event taking place on Monday, October 20th, from 7–9:30 PM at Temple Carrig.
Again, all proceeds went to Down Syndrome Ireland securing an additional €240 in much needed support for a great cause.
In Closing
Bray Hockey Club continues to set a fantastic example of community and inclusion in action through supporting The Brayvers, driving club culture and encouraging members to get involved or stay involved in the game through other means such as umpiring.
A huge well done to everyone at Bray Hockey Club for their brilliant efforts and for continuing to make hockey a sport for everyone!
