About us

Hotsticks originated in December 1975 when Tony Caruana Smith, then teacher at Naxxar Boys Secondary School, gathered a group of 11-year-old schoolboys and started showing them the basic skills of hockey.

In May 1977, Hotsticks Hockey Team took part in the first official HAM competition, entering two teams in an under-18 six-a-side full-pitch tournament. These Hotsticks teams were made up of under 16/14 players. Ten teams had participated in this tournament.

From then on Hotsticks competed regularly in all junior leagues and tournaments. In their first participation in junior leagues, in season 1977/78, Hotsticks won the under-14 league and were runners-up at under-16, losing only in the final to La Salle College. The competition included 8 teams while Hotsticks player David Xuereb won the HAM junior player of the year that season.

In season 1980/81, Hotsticks took part for the first time in the Senior National League. In the first two seasons the team placed last and penultimate, but enthusiasm was abounding.

In 1982/83, Hotsticks obtained 3rd place and took part in the Young Stars International tournament.

The following season, 1983/84, Hotsticks surprised all by winning the National Championship for the first time. All the players were under 20 years of age except for two.

After this glorious season, all ties with Young Stars Hockey Club were ended and Hotsticks established its own independent Club. Later the name Sliema was added to the club name to add more prestige and also because the founder and many of the original players hailed from Sliema and vicinities. There was also a significant period when the club had its clubhouse at Tigne Sliema.

In 2023 Hotsticks Hockey Club made the decision to begin a process of association with another amateur sports organisation, Zurrieq Wolves ASC. This was a strategic step to help the club strengthen its roots and set a new basis on which to further grow once more.