Junior Section
Philosophy & Culture
Our thriving junior section has over 350 members aged 6-18.
We aim to offer an inclusive and welcoming environment where we can provide hockey for as wide a range of children as possible, whilst also stretching those who are driven to achieve their full potential.
The junior section has two over-riding aims:
Participation - provide opportunities to play hockey for as many children as possible
Talent Development - provide stretch opportunities for motivated and high potential players
Our aim is to create an encouraging environment where players can learn through experimentation and solving problems. We want players to always be working on something, setting goals for themselves and to have a “why not me” mindset for what they can achieve in the future. Our coaching sessions are built around gameplay with constant decision making and plenty of competition. We focus on continual improvement rather than results and highly value strong basics and good connectivity. We use the England Hockey golden thread and the Talent Development Framework as a reference point for our ongoing progress.
We are predominantly a volunteer-led club, and we encourage parents, guardians and other interested parties to involve themselves in the running and supporting of the junior section. We employ some professional coaches who are responsible for supporting our volunteer coaches and maintaining the high standard of coaching across the section.
Our 2023-24 plans are set out in the Junior Section Strategic Plan, which is part of the Club Development Plan and which you can find here.
Club Welfare & Safeguarding
Our Club Welfare Officer, (CWO), Louise Leyland, is responsible for ensuring compliance with our Child Welfare Policy, and should be contacted if you have any welfare or safeguarding concerns. Louise can be contacted through the special email address below, and will respond to communication quickly and confidentially.
More information can be found on the public documents page.
Contact: Club Welfare Officer
Click on the relevant link below to find out more details for specific age groups
Opportunities For All
Opportunities for participation and talent development at all stages
Introduction to Hockey
We have recently launched an outreach programme offering taster sessions to local primary schools. For children interested in continuing with hockey, or those who have limited experience who would like to try it, we run weekly in-season training sessions. More information on current events can be found in the poster below.
Junior Age Group Training & Matches
All age groups have a weekly training session, as well as competitive and friendly matches against other local clubs. From under 12s our boys & girls squads enter at least 2 teams into the England Hockey leagues and cups, which allows multiple playing opportunities for all our committed players, at a level suitable for them. A summary of the training nights for each group can be found here. Each age group has their own website page with more information.
Performance Opportunities
There are multiple opportunities for motivated and high potential players, both within and outside the club:
Our Talent Development Programme provides stretched opportunities for motivated and high potential players, designed to help them to achieve their full potential (see below for more information)
Each year we nominated players who are at the required standard to participate in the Hampshire Hockey Development Centres, which give them the opportunity to challenge for selection for the Hampshire teams
If players are at a very high standard, we may nominate them to represent South Saxons in the UK Regional U13 tournament, and once the New England Hockey Talent System is up and running, we will nominate players for the local Talent Academy where appropriate
Senior Section
Once players reach the age of 13 they can play adult hockey. We manage this transition carefully, with players placed in suitable environments with adults who are responsible for their welfare and development. The first stage is the men’s and ladies’ academy teams. If players are ready and of a required standard, they may be invited to participate in the senior premier squads.
Opportunities for Non-members
Many of our opportunities are open to non-members:
Our Introduction to Hockey Programme provides players with entry level opportunities to try out hockey and learn the basics of the game (see below for more information)
Our Talent Development Programme provides stretched opportunities for motivated and high potential players, designed to help them to achieve their full potential (see below for more information)
We run regular holiday camps open to all players aged 6+ (see below for upcoming camps)
