Canterbury men’s and ladies’ first teams begin their Indoor England Hockey League campaigns this weekend.

In their opening Premier Division games, Canterbury men’s 1sts face Old Loughtonians and Loughborough Students at Tonbridge School on Saturday. They then take on East Grinstead and Harleston Magpies at the same venue on Sunday.

The ladies’ 1sts will play Ipswich and Chelmsford in the Women’s Premier Division at the Whitgift School on Saturday. They then face Aldridge and Slough on Sunday.

Men’s coach Andrew Dunn said: "We’ve got a completely new team this year and there aren’t many players left from last season. I think it is going to be tough.

"Our goalkeeper Ben Cowling is a quality indoor keeper. He’s going to be a key player for us because he knows what he is doing indoors.

"The games are shorter and the pitch is smaller. You have to be quick thinking as you don’t get as much time. Games can change so quickly.

"We’re playing three of the four finalists from last year so it is going to be a bit of a baptism of fire for some of the guys."