The founding of GHBS

To get a picture of the history of GHBS, we turn the clock back to 1928. In that year, the Netherlands was captivated by the Olympic Games, which were held in Amsterdam. These games were the start of a number of special traditions, such as lighting the Olympic flame. This flame was infectious, even far beyond Amsterdam. In Groningen, a number of students from the 'Gemeentelijke Hogere Burger School' followed the good performances of the Dutch hockey team on the radio. They also listened to the final between the Netherlands and British India and they were completely enthusiastic about the hockey match and the sport of hockey. The fact that the Netherlands lost 0-3 did not detract from their enthusiasm, because the silver medal was won and this gave rise to a golden idea: founding the hockey club 'Gemeentelijke Hogere Burger School'. From that moment on, GHBS was a fact and was the second hockey club in Groningen.

Accommodation

Dressed in a green and white checked shirt, black pants/skirt and green socks, GHBS plays on various fields in Groningen, such as in the Stadspark. After about a year and a half, the students are unstoppable and start playing hockey in 'de Harenermolen'. They play there until a suitable playing field is found in the 1950s on a complex at the 'Van Starkenborghkanaal'. There, GHBS distinguishes itself in 1963 by being the first hockey club to have a clubhouse built, where the juniors can play on Saturdays and the seniors on Sundays. Many hockey players will remember the iconic three points on the roof well. In 2023, after 50 years, a new clubhouse will be built that meets the size of the club, which has grown considerably in the meantime, and the current (construction) requirements.

Corpus den Hoorn

Ten years of hockey, club life and growth resulted in a move to the current sports complex 'Corpus den Hoorn' in 1973, which offered numerous opportunities for the flourishing GHBS association. The municipality of Groningen also realised that GHBS was located in a top location, and wanted to reap the benefits by building a motorway that would serve as the city's economic artery. GHBS did not let this discourage it and this match was also decided in GHBS's favour. As soon as the construction of this 'Zuidtangent' was off the table, GHBS managed to set sail with an enormous amount of force to renovate the clubhouse and the hockey fields. From that moment on, the club grew rapidly.

Five artificial turf pitches

From that day on, GHBS has been burning just as fiercely as it did in 1928. The board and various committees are committed to maintaining this energy for now and for the future. They are committed to the members, but also to maintaining the clubhouse and the hockey fields. All efforts are rewarded in November 2005 with the opening of the third artificial grass field. During the 17th lustrum in 2013, the aldermen opened the fourth field. The fifth field was constructed in 2020 and field 2 was renovated.

GHBS now

If we turn the clock forward to today, it becomes clear that GHBS has experienced enormous growth. The remarkable result is a mixed hockey club that, with more than 1800 members, can call itself the largest sports club in the North. In addition to a growing number of members, GHBS now has five artificial grass fields, including three water fields, a semi-water field and a sand field. These surround the striking clubhouse where conviviality reigns supreme after every match. Various theme parties are also given annually where young and old enjoy the cohesion within the club. Photos of these can be seen on our Instagram and Facebook page. The young men of yesteryear can in any case be proud of their GHBS where youth members, seniors and students together, both on the field and in the clubhouse, revive old glory days.