At the conclusion of a meeting held in conjunction with the Lisburn Gymnastic and Physical Culture Club on 3 September 1912, a further meeting was held with a view to inaugurate South Antrim Hockey Club. Cecil Coulter was elected as Captain.
The Club Constitution was agreed at the Clubs first general meeting on 12 September 1912 and the Clubs chosen colours were Coronation Blue with a dark red slash, later changed to red and black horizontal stripes and finally to the present colours of red and black squares. A field was rented at Belsize Road, Lisburn at a cost of £2 per half year.
The First XI ended their first season in the Minor League winning 4, drawing 3 and losing 9.
The Club developed a strong connection with the linen mill at Hilden and the First President was JM Barbour. The First Patron of the club was Captain James Craig MP, later to become Lord Craigavon and the First Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.
36 Club Members served in HM forces during the First World War, a remarkable record for a small club.
In 1921 the club joined the Senior League. Home grounds changed frequently until 1921, when the club moved to a site at Forthill, owned by Friends School. The first major success was the winning of the Kirk and McMeekin Cups in 1921-22.
Following the Second World War the club struggled to attract quality players and indeed barely had enough to field two teams. But for the loyalty of a small band of enthusiasts, the Club may well have ceased to exist.
The year 1972 saw a welcome return in the Clubs fortunes when the Beechlawn Club from Dunmurry decided to merge with South Antrim.
The Club has continued to develop and currently field four senior teams, aswell as U12, U13 and U15 junior sides. Home games are currently played at Laurelhill School, Lisburn, making South Antrim the only Hockey Club still going strong in City.
The Club is fortunate to have a strong Committee ably led by Chairman Gordon McCandless and is in a financially sound position thanks to the dedication of Treasurer Eric Cunningham, who joined from Beechlawn in 1972.
The Clubs aim over the next 5 years is to continue the rapid development of the Youth Section and are striving to reach the Premier Division in time for the 100 year anniverasary celebrations in 2012.
