Reading Next Generation is the junior section of the club providing a safe and enjoyable hockey environment for youngsters from the age of 4 to 18. We are very proud of our growing youth section and would be delighted to have your child train with us and join over one hundred other youngsters.
We provide equipment and qualified coaches to create a safe, fun and professional environment for children for both sexes aged 4 to 18. Sessions run throughout the season on a Sunday morning. Sessions start for season 2007 from Sunday 9th September (09:00 for under 12s, 10:45 for over 12s). We run several youth teams who play matches against other clubs after the training sessions on a Sunday. We provide this programme of matches and tournaments for virtually all age groups to put the training into action.
The mens 1XI play their league games on a Sunday afternoon so there is the opportunity for youngster to stay on and watch Premier league hockey when the 1XI are at home. The Next Generation supply the ball team for these games.
Several of our coaches also coach Berkshire country sides and we contribute many youngsters to Berkshire, to the South regional and to the junior internation sides.
Come Along!
We welcome any child age 4 to 18. They don’t need to have played hockey before as our sessions cater for all abilities. They just need the enthusiasm to want to get active and find out about hockey. Anyone can come along and try a session.
We run the Sunday sessions in two sections:
9.15 to 11.00 for 4 to 12 year olds (Years 1 to 7) 11.00-12.30 for the over 12s (Year 8 and above). Each session takes place on our water based pitch at Sonning Lane run by qualified coaches.
Before starting a session you will need to register your child to ensure we can run the sessions safely for everyone involved. We will need to know your contact details, any medical information about your child we might need to know and what level of experience they have. Please come 15 minutes before the session start time to allow time for registration.
Your child needs sports clothes suitable for the weather, shin pads and footwear for Astro pitches (normally trainers but not football boots). If the child has a gum shield it is advisable.
If your child wants to continue then you will need to complete a membership form and pay a membership fee of £80 per annum. Membership forms are available at the Sunday morning sessions. Simply complete the form and hand back to the Youth Secretary or any coach on a Sunday morning with the membership payment.
Coaches
Boys
Under 14 Ian Ashby
Under 16 Terry Walden
Under 18 Paul Westacott
Girls
Under 14 dev Tim Westacott
Under 14 Rachel Mann
Under 16 Sue Newman
Under 18 Alice Margerison and Becky Odlin
Our academies are designed to enable talented teenagers take their hockey further. They provide the perfect development path for older players and provide a superb link between junior and senior hockey. Youngsters at the The Academy receive top quality coaching for an hour on a Tuesday evening to support their Next Generation training and matches and help them compete for places in representative teams and the club’s development sides in the senior leagues.
Coaching support at these sessions is provided by 1XI players, many of whom are current internationals. Academy players therefore have the opportunity to develop my learning the techniques and training methodology of the very best hockey talent.
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