Ever wondered how a hockey club could be born from the seeds of a school’s sports lesson? That’s precisely the story of MHC HBS. It is a tale that began in 1919.
MHC HBS, short for Mixed Hockey Club Houdt Braef Standt, finds its roots in Haarlem. Pupils from the local HBS school, guided by their sports teacher, formed a small hockey club. Their first match was against Bloemendaal. Due to a lack of players, they started with only ten members. The club adopted its name from the school’s initials. Back then, membership cost a mere 35 cents.
Fast forward to 1927, and the first HBS women’s team was established. About twenty women formed this team. A year later, in 1928, HBS received royal approval and joined the KNHB. That same year, they built their first clubhouse for 750 guilders. Lacking running water, the women fetched water from a nearby farmer. This changed when they moved to Bleek en Berg in 1933. The club then had over a hundred members.
The HBS kit soon featured black and red. Over the years, the design evolved. The color of the hockey kit was a recurring topic at members’ meetings.
Initially, women sported colorful skirts. Later, they adopted grey pinafore dresses. To keep up with fashion trends, the top part of the pinafore was removed. By the late 1950s, the women, like the men, wore black and red.
And to this day, that remains the case with the white socks. In 2019, grey made a comeback in the anniversary clothing to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary. You can still spot grey hoodies, shirts, and socks on the training field every week.
MHC HBS has often been a pioneer. In the 1970s, HBS was a major advocate for indoor hockey. It was also one of the first clubs to start play-practice groups for seven and eight-year-olds in 1973. This later led to ‘mini hockey’. In the late 80s, HBS pioneered trim hockey. Following the KNHB’s introduction of the G-hockey competition, HBS started with four children in 2011. Today, this has grown into two full G-teams.
At HBS, there is always a healthy tension between performance and enjoyment. This balance perhaps explains why many former members return to their club after years away. Besides hockey, the club has been known for its large tournaments since the 1920s. These tournaments take place both on the field and indoors, along with many parties and events.
The club places great emphasis on youth hockey. This is a vital factor in the recent surge in membership. In particular, the E and F youth teams have long been the pride of the association. HBS can compete with the best in North Holland in the ABCD youth category.
For over a century, MHC HBS has been an ambitious club. It fulfills an important sporting and recreational function in the region. Here at MHC HBS, you’re not just witnessing a sports club. You are seeing a century-old story of community, innovation, and a shared love for hockey.