Vision Statement

OKHC Juniors aims to nurture junior players, ensure they have fun playing hockey, and inspire a lifelong love of the game. To do this we will:

  • equip juniors with the skills to play;
  • nurture and respect talent;
  • find a balance between being a friendly, inclusive club and being competitive;
  • encourage progression through the age groups; and
  • promote development into the club’s senior squads.

The aim is to continue to make OKHC the friendliest family hockey club in south west London, evidenced by high retention rates and loyalty to the senior club. Hockey-4-life!

Juniors Organisation and Priorities

We will limit numbers to ensure that the groups remain small and intimate, to develop a team spirit and foster cohesion and an appreciation of each player’s own ability within the squad.

Each age-group will be operated with a combination of a paid coach and parent helpers. The coach will be responsible for designing and delivering each session to their assigned age group and ensuring that the parent helpers are coordinated to facilitate the delivery of the session. The team manager, a parent volunteer, will coordinate the on-pitch helpers, determine availability of players for tournaments/matches, and, with the coach, ensure that there are enough parent helpers available to ‘run’ the teams at those tournaments and matches. Where possible, the coach will travel to fixtures with their age group.

Membership

Juniors Age Group Organisation Principles

Age GroupIdeal Squad SizeOrganisation Principles
Mixed U840Each child should be invited to play in 4 x 5-a-side tournament per season.
Mixed ability groups.
Focus on fun and participation.
Girls U10
Boys U10		40 eachEach child should be invited to play in approx. 6 x 7-a-side tournaments.
To nurture talent, we will begin to stream the teams, with two squads (including a development squad).
Focus on fun and participation.
Girls U12
Boys U12		40Each child should be invited to play in approx. 6 x 7-a-side tournaments.
Each child will be invited to play in the 11-a-side development league.
Girls U1440Each child will play in a 11-a-side league and there will be some 7-a-side tournaments.
Boys U144011-a-side league.
To nurture talent, we will stream the teams, with 1 ‘A’ squad.
Girls U16
Boys U16		30 eachInvited to play and train with senior sides as appropriate.
Saturday fixtures: 11-a-side senior league as a development squad.
Sunday league fixtures: 11-a-side U16 league.
Mixed U18N/AThese players are considered members of the senior club.
Teams for each tournament or match will be organised from each squad by the age-group coach. The coaches will review performance at training and in matches to select the appropriate teams for any specific tournament or match.

Parent Helpers

The junior section would not survive without the help of our fantastic parent helpers. We have roles that do and don’t need hockey experience, so if you feel you can help in any of the positions below, please let us know. If you would like to know more about the roles before you commit, please email Deborah, whose address is on the Contacts Page, and she will provide a brief description of what is involved.

Team Manager – works with the coach to ensure that the children have fun, communicates with the parents and facilitates the fixtures.

On–pitch helper – Please talk to your Team Manager of you would like to volunteer as an on-pitch helper.

First Aider – All age-groups need a qualified first-aider. This is especially important when we host matches. If you have first-aid qualifications and are willing to help, please let your Team Manager or Deborah know.

Tuck Shop – We need help with the Tuck Shop! Everyone likes a nice warm cup of tea/coffee/hot chocolate on cold winter mornings, but they don’t make themselves. Please let Deborah know if you would like to volunteer to run the Tuck Shop (a lovely way to meet other parents!).

Safeguarding & Welfare

Please read this welfare statement or follow the links below for more information about the guidelines adopted by the club. Please contact Deborah von Wittgenstein, our lead for juniors welfare, with any questions about safeguarding. Deborah’s email address is on the Contacts Page.

As a club we take very seriously our responsibilities on the safety and welfare of all players, seniors and junior players alike. We subscribe to the EHA recommendations and ensure all our coaches, captains and key committee members are DBS checked and are trained in the Safeguarding Principles, and regularly undertake the appropriate courses to maintain this status. This duty of care is reflected in our approach not only in managing our training sessions and matches, but in how we communicate with club members and parents, and how we consider our social activities. More details on this best practice approach we adopt can be found at www.englandhockey.co.uk

Personal Protection
The use and provision of personal protective equipment is the responsibility of all club members at both junior and senior level. All players of any age should ensure as a minimum they always have shin pads and mouth guards for both training sessions and playing matches. Players may, at their own discretion, also choose additional protective equipment such as face masks or gloves. The use of personal protective equipment reduces the risk of injury and members are encouraged to consider wearing the personal protective equipment they feel appropriate at all times when playing. Our juniors section also provide guidance on Equipment Required for juniors sessions.
LinkDescription
Spirit of HockeyEngland Hockey provide a Code of Conduct for everyone involved in hockey
SafeGuard England Hockey provide policy and guidance documents for Safeguarding Young People
Safe Hockey England Hockey provide health and safety guidance for planning safe hockey
Parents WelcomeOKHC parents welcome information
COVID-19 GuidancePlease follow this link for guidance on COVID-19 before participating in any hockey activities