History

Irvine Ladies Hockey Club is one of the oldest hockey clubs still playing in Scotland,

It was first started in 1945 and was originally made up of pupils of Irvine Royal Academy. Needless to say during the ensuing years it became ILHC because of the number of females wishing to play the sport from the local area.

Over the years Irvine Ladies Hockey Club has had a few success stories with players being chosen to play for their School, County and Country. One of the first stalwarts of the Club was Mrs Metcalf who umpired for many years, then came Mrs Alexander who not only umpired but coached too. Some names that would be known locally were Margaret Balcombe, Anne Macara, May Kerr, Joyce King and Moira Kerr who played for Scotland. Mary Drynan (Coulter) who joined in 1956 and Christine Fyfe in 1970 both still valued members of the club who still umpire.

At this time the Club played at the Quarry Road playing fields, this was before the amalgamation of Irvine Rugby Club, Irvine Cricket Club and The Hockey Club, which led to the birth of the Irvine Sports Club in 1972.

1976 saw the club move to the new facilities at Marress Playing Fields as part of Irvine Sports Club.

In 2015 the club began training and playing at Marr College, however the club still remains part of Irvine Sports Club with junior training and the occasional game taking place on the grass pitch.

At one time in the West of Scotland there were about thirty clubs, sadly that has depleted to approximately sixteen.

Currently the Senior Ladies play in the Scottish Ladies West District Divison 3 League.

The club now has a well-established junior section that enjoy the fun of the sport while keeping fit and making new friends.