For many years players travelled outside of Dromore in order to train and credit should be given to the coach at the time Noel Best and players for their dedication to the club. A secure foundation was laid and teams made significant progress in the various sections of the Ulster Women's' Hockey League.

It is in recent years however that the club has really become a force to be reckoned with. In September 2000 the club acquired the services of a new coach, Jonny McBride, and with him came new initiatives, training programmes and vision. An Executive Committee, presided over by Catherine Stanley, was formed and regular meetings helped promote the growth of the Senior Club and the establishment of the very successful Junior Section.
The 2001/2 season brought about the formalisation of Junior Hockey while the 2002/2003 season ushered in the era of astro turf hockey. Jonny McBride began a programme of formal coaching in Dromore High School and as a result of this strong links were forged with the High School and the Dromore Youth and Community Resource Centre that maximised benefits for the many young people attending Junior hockey. There are currently 120 members of the Junior club with young people between the ages of 8 and 14 regularly attending Saturday morning training sessions. Sessions run from 10.00 a.m. until 12.00 a.m. for the U8 – U12 squads with the U14s training on Monday evenings from 6:30pm – 8:00pm. Players work with those in their own age group and are coached by Senior Club members who have completed or are in the process of completing professional coaching qualifications. There is a high emphasis placed on enjoyment whilst the disciplines of good hockey are being expertly taught and practised. There is a real atmosphere of camaraderie amongst the girls and mini tournaments and social events are organised in order to encourage this. A Junior club kit, comprising similar items to that of the Senior Club, Rain Jacket, Track Bottoms, Base Layer and the juniors very own polo shirt, has been designed and is worn by many of the girls. The outstanding success of the Junior Club is a credit to all junior members, junior coaches along with both past and present Youth Development Officers, Mandy Russell and Rachel Stanley.

The success and development of the club continued during the 2003-04 season with the 2nd XI squad writing themselves into the clubs history books winning promotion to the Intermediate League for the first time while the season after (2004/05) saw the introduction of the 5th XI. The club took further steps during 2005/06 with the acquisition of Heather McClurg as 4th & 5th XI coach as well as the U14 squad competing each season in the U14 League-Mid Ulster section, while the U12 squad entered the first ever U12 league. The 3rd XI also won promotion out of the Minor leagues, again another first for the club. To complete a successful season Dromore saw four of its young players selected to wear the red of Ulster in the form of the Ulster U16b squad – Zoe Bawden, Becky Russell, Rachelle Adams and Tina Matier all making the grade.September 2003 brought about the establishment of the official Dromore Ladies' Hockey Club website and you can catch up on all recent developments, club news and social events at www.dromoreladieshockeyclub.com.

The beginning of 2006-07 saw an internal re-shuffle of coaching duties at the club with the creation of the new 6th XI. Miss Heather McClurg now worked with the 5th and 6th XI during their own dedicated Wednesday night slot at Ferris Park. Mr J McBride coached an newly amalgamated 3rd and 4th XI squads, which in turn saw former 3rd XI Mr G Colligan take over the 1sts. Mr A Ward remained in place as 2nd XI coach and Mr D Williamson as GK Coach and his new assistant Miss J Gardiner. The 2006/07 season also saw the influx of players joining the club from Wallace High School, to compliment the already high numbers of school girls at the club from Banbridge Academy and Dromore High School. On the playing front the club achieved great success, with promotion for the 1st, 3rd, & 5th XI. The club also reached its first final in years, and not one final but three. The 1st XI reached the final of the May Costley Cup Final at UCD, only to narrowly lose out to Moyne Thurles, while the 5th XI lost to Ards 5th in the Minor Cup Final. The 3rd XI had the joy though of winning the first trophy in 8 years, beating Omagh 3rd XI in the final of the Junior Plate. The Juniors also got in on the act, with the U14 Squad winning their League and Cup double, being crowned Northern Ireland Champions after a thrilling Cup Final against Randalstown U14’s. Four more players were selected for Ulster, Tina Matier, Kerri McDonald and Julie Morton for the U16b while 1st XI player Nicola Wilson was selected for the Ulster Junior Squad.

With the growth and development continuing, Dromore fielded a 7th XI for the first time during the 2007/08 season, which again meant more internal movement. Julie Anderson returned to the club and took over the 5th and 6th XI duties from the departed Heather McClurg, also adding the 7th XI to the new training slot dedicated to these teams and assisted by Coach Craig Scott of Instonians. Sammy Downes also came in as Goalkeepers coach in place of another departed coach – Mr D Williamson. On the playing from 2007/08 saw the most successful season to date, the club triumphed in 4 league campaigns with the 1st, 4th, 5th & 6th XI all won their leagues, while the 2 nd and 3 rd XI finished runners-up in their respective leagues and therefore also promoted. More silverware followed, the 1st XI again reaching the May Costley Cup Final at UCD, this time securing the win by defeating Clonmel of Tipperary. The 3rd and 4th XI both contested the Minor Plate Final with the 3 rd XI coming out on top. Another all Dromore clash followed in the Section 10 & 11 Cup as the 5th & 6th fought out a great semi-final with a victorious 5th XI going on to meet and draw Randalstown 5th XI in the Cup Final and share the Cup. The U14’s also had a tremendous season, this time losing out in the league campaign on goal difference, and another Northern Ireland Cup final but unfortunately finishing runners-up to Victorians U14’s. More players were selected for Ulster, Rachel Morrow and Laura Gamble made the full U16 Squad, while Kerri McDonald, Laura Irwin and Chelsey Whan were all selected for U16b competition.

To Cap a remarkable and successful season Dromore Ladies Hockey Club had the honour and distinction of being named the UWHU Club of the Year for 2007/08 at the recent UWHU Awards Lunch, a proud moment and testament to all the hard work and determination for all associated with the club.

Senior Club training has also developed in a major way over the last few years. Over 90 players are registered to play hockey and there is significant competition for team places every Saturday. As a result of this an average of 35 players attend training on both a Monday and Wednesday night at Ferris Park and runs from 7.30 p.m. (sharp!!!) to 9.30 p.m. Training activities are very varied and focus not only on physical fitness, but on the many aspects of attack, defence and set play. Methods vary from week to week ranging from specific team practice to tactical positional play.

Genuine attempts are made to create a feeling of 'belonging' at the club - each year the club venture to the Odyssey in Belfast for a bowling evening in order that new members and the first of our Junior members to move into the Senior club might get to know those from all sections of the club.

There is no doubt about it - Dromore Ladies' Hockey Club is a club not only dedicated to playing high quality hockey but one which is developing at an enormous rate and is keen to promote the sport amongst all ages and abilities. New members are always welcome and if you are keen to join or just curious to see what goes on why not call down to Ferris park during one of our training sessions or log on to our website and register your details.

DLHC 1st XI 1994/95

DLHC 3rd XI 2004

DLHC - UWHU Club of the Year 2007-08