Junior Training

Where and when

All sessions take place on the astroturf at Springfield leisure centre during the hockey season (typically September to March, though exact dates vary year to year). Children are taught in age groups with sessions being mixed until U14 at which point there are separate sessions for girls and boys. A calendar of training sessions is below.

Kit

• All junior players need to wear shin pads and a gum shield. Football/hockey socks are ideal for holding shin pads in place.
• Clean trainers are suitable as footwear, though as your child progresses they will benefit from astro trainers.
• Wear sportswear suitable for the time of year - in early autumn and spring this may be shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt - but in the winter gloves, hats and waterproof coats over the top of sports leggings may be advisable!
• Hockey sticks and shin pads can be lent each session, though again, keen players will want their own as they. progress.
• Goalie kits belonging to the club are available for repeat/ongoing loan for those who want to try this position
• Additional protective gear such as hockey gloves may be something older juniors playing regular games may wish to consider
• If your child wishes to play in matches then team kit can be bought or borrowed

Teams and progression

In addition to training we aim to provide game experience through tournaments and individual matches against other junior sides. All children are given the opportunity to play. Games may be at our home pitches or other local clubs.

Whilst our emphasis is strongly on fun, fitness and skills for all, we do have many juniors who have achieved representational honours at junior county level and beyond. We maintain close links with talent academies and coaches will elect players who show promise for county trials and suggest opportunities for additional advanced coaching once they reach the age where these commence. It also goes without saying that it is our aim to to nurture new talent for our own teams, and we have many current players in all our teams who have come through our junior programmes.

Children of 13 and above can play in adult leagues and we have development teams in both men's and women's sections where we can introduce juniors to the adult game without undue pressure. Coaches are sensitive to the individual development pathways of different children and readiness will be judged on a case by case basis.