A Yorkshire sports club is making waves for an unexpected reason: it’s home to five sets of twins on its junior hockey teams. Rotherham Hockey Club, with 60 members, is now proudly known as the club where a sixth of its youth roster shares a twin.
The twins, ranging from five-year-olds Mabel and Florence to 17-year-old sisters Eve and Charlotte, are a rare sight on the sports pitch. The club’s youth teams have become a unique gathering of sibling athletes, where parents and coaches alike share a sense of pride and humor over the situation.
An Unexpected Family Phenomenon at Rotherham Hockey Club
Archie Busby, the club’s head of junior development, recalls the moment when he realized just how many twins were involved. “As the years go on and more kids come down, you think ‘there’s another set there and another set there,’ and suddenly you look and think, wow, we’ve five sets of twins,” Busby says with a smile. “It’s a bit special.”
While the setup might sound like an amusing coincidence, the dynamic it creates on the field is anything but ordinary. The five sets of twins come from various age groups: from the youngest at five to the oldest at 17. Despite their wide age range, all share one thing in common—a natural bond that only twins can experience.
For example, Eve and Charlotte Burghin, the oldest set, are more than just hockey players; they’re part of a hockey family dynasty. Their parents, who met through the sport, are thrilled to see their daughters play together. “It’s often lump-in-the-throat stuff,” says their father, Andrew Burghin. “Watching my daughters play together is a proud moment.”
Training with Twins: The Challenges and Benefits
It’s not just about the thrill of shared victories. The presence of so many twins adds a layer of intrigue during training. According to Busby, “Sometimes I do look down and wonder which one is which, but it’s nice to have a family connection.” But what makes things even more interesting is that the twins often have an uncanny ability to predict each other’s moves on the pitch.
Eve and Charlotte Burghin see their twin connection as a huge advantage. “I love it,” says Eve. “I look over, and I know where Charlotte’s going to be and what she’s going to do. I also know what will annoy her.” Charlotte adds, “Opposition teams sometimes mix the pair of us up. They end up marking the wrong twin.”
In a way, this connection offers an advantage on the field that goes beyond skills—it’s an instinctual understanding of one another’s moves and strategies. This advantage is something that many teams can’t replicate, making the Burghin twins a force to be reckoned with.
From the Oldest to the Youngest: A Hockey Dynasty
The youngest twins, Florence and Mabel, are just five years old, but their love for the sport has already begun to show. Their father, Dan Fletcher, is all too familiar with the energetic chaos that comes with training at such a young age. “Training at that age involves a lot of swinging sticks and squabbling,” Fletcher admits with a laugh. But despite the occasional disagreement, he says, “They love it here. It’s a fantastic family sport.”
For many families involved in Rotherham Hockey Club, the sport isn’t just about the physical activity—it’s about community. Andrew Burghin highlights the social aspect of the sport, saying, “As a sport, it’s a family thing. Dads play with sons, mums and daughters, it goes through the generations.”
A Family Affair: Hockey Across Generations
The Burghins aren’t the only family enjoying the sport. Several other members of the club, parents included, have been involved in hockey for years, creating a tight-knit community where everyone—from doctors to decorators—has a place.
“We sit together, we chat, and that’s what makes the sport so social,” Andrew explains. “People come from all walks of life. It brings everyone together in a way that other sports don’t.”
The legacy of the Burghin family, as well as other families in the club, mirrors the success of hockey stars like Sophie and Olivia Hamilton, twin sisters who play for Great Britain’s women’s hockey team. It’s clear that for some, the love of hockey runs deep and is passed down through generations.
Could There Be a Record for Most Twins in a Sports Club?
While the club celebrates its familial bonds, one question remains: Could this be a world record for the most sets of twins in a sports club? Busby, ever the optimist, isn’t sure if such a record exists, but he certainly wouldn’t rule it out. “It’s not something I’ve looked into, but it’s definitely an interesting thought,” he says.
For now, Rotherham Hockey Club continues to pride itself on its unique claim to fame. The five sets of twins, each contributing their own special bond to the team, make the club a place where family, sport, and community truly intertwine.
