JUNIORS

 

The fantastic benefit of Astroturf, apart from making modern hockey the fast, exciting and ever evolving game that it has become, is that children can now start to learn and more importantly enjoy the game at a far younger age. Junior Hockey at Maidstone has progressed well in recent years with both team and individual successes. Many players who started their hockey at Maidstone as juniors are still here playing for the club. Several of our juniors are in county squads, and we have several ex Maidstone jumiors representing GB and England.

As well as being coached in advanced core skills, hockey tactics and the importance of a strong team ethos, the under 14 and 16 groups play competitive league hockey and enter various cup competitions. The younger age groups are taught basic core skills, positional awareness and are given an early chance at goal keeping. They also play mini-hockey (7 a side) triangular tournaments against other Kent clubs.

We welcome and encourage any children who simply want to come and have a go at hockey. If they show an interest they will then be able to join the junior section and play on a regular basis. As a family you can be involved as much or little as you like with the club. Recently one of our parents (an ex-hockey player) has qualified as a coach and a couple more have been inspired to take the game up again.

ClubsFirst - In February 2007 Maidstone Hockey Club achieved England Hockey ClubsFirst accreditation, which ensures that we have a safe and child-friendly environment for developing young players. For parents of prospective players it gives them the confidence that the Club's child protection and welfare processes have been independently audited and approved.

ClubsFirst is England Hockey's version of Sports England's Club Mark award, which assesses:

  the playing or participation programme  duty of care and child protection  sports equity and ethics  club management

Because all clubs need to be re-assessed every 3 years, Maidstone submitted it's evidence in February 2010. We are delighted to report that we passed, and are re-accredited for a further 3 years - til 2013!

Training and Matches  - The Club runs junior training programmes throughout the year. During the main season, September to April, these are held on Sunday mornings at the club between 9am and midday.  When considered ready, the stronger players [14 years of age and older only] are invited to join the men’s and ladies’ teams for training. This helps in their transition to the senior game and ensures they have every opportunity to reach their full potential. We also offer Hockey Camps and Junior Taster Sessions at various times throughout the year. Furthermore we work in local schools. Matches are generally played on Sunday mornings either in conjunction with, or instead of, training.

Coaches  - We have a very enthusiastic team of men and women coaches with a wide range of experience both in playing, umpiring and coaching hockey. All our coaches are England Hockey qualified and CRB checked - Sarah Day, Julie Wood, Kirit Parmar, Mick Emery, Simon Wood, Graham Clarkson, Andy Parkes and Mike Smith. There is also support from Maria Miles, Ellen Vigar, Lizzie Daniels, Jeremy Swaffer and Kevin Johnson. We always have at least one first aid trained coach available during coaching sessions, together with a first aid kit.

We are always looking for more coaches, and helpers. The coaching training is funded by the Club.

Mike Evans

Hockey Manager-Juniors

07766 447985

mikeandjudith@mac.com