A 31-hour marathon hockey match that took place in Bradley Stoke earlier this year has been officially recognised as setting a new world record.
South Gloucestershire Hockey Club staged the event at Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) over the weekend of 28th/29th May, aiming to beat the record for “the world’s longest continuous hockey match”, which stood at 30 hours and 15 minutes.
After months of scrutiny and deliberation, Guinness World Records has now confirmed that the 32 players who took part in the match are now officially record-breakers.
The event also raised more than £5,200 for Cots for Tots, a £1m appeal for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Michael’s Hospital, which cares for premature and critically-ill babies.
It was organised by the hockey club’s third team goalkeeper Darren Bane, whose son Matthew was born more than three months premature, and spent his first six months at the NICU. He said:
“Waiting for Guinness to officially confirm our world record claim was almost as painful as taking part in the match itself.”
“The publication of their latest book led to an influx of record claims, so the assessment process took a bit longer than it usually does.”
“For us, it has been a very anxious few months waiting for their decision, but now they have officially recognised our achievement, I am delighted.”
Secretary of the club, Craig Lewis, also experienced the work of the unit when his son Evan had to be delivered about six weeks early and spent his first month being supported by the specialist staff.
Lauren Vincent of Cots for Tots said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the hockey club made the world record. It is a fantastic achievement not just for them but for the Cots for Tots Appeal as well.”
The record attempt had to observed by a team of independent witnesses and was recorded on video by students from BSCS. Photographs from The Journal and ‘super-witness statements’ from The Journal’s editor and local police beat manager PC Claire Fletcher formed crucial parts of the ‘evidence package’ submitted to Guinness.
Mr Bane added:
“I would like to particularly thank all the independent witnesses, umpires and the very hard-working stewards, Bradley Stoke School, and Tesco. Without their collective effort and support, we would not have been able to achieve our goal.”
