This section covers Under 8 and Under 10 and includes
• How we communicate with players and parents
• Important information about coaching, matches & tournaments

Please help us – your assistance and co-operation is critical in following Members Guidance on training. Ensure you follow Government advise on hygiene.

For any further information contact Judith Barton Head of Juniors
M: +44 (0) 771 001 9259
Email: juniors@readinghockeyclub.org.uk
or Linda Sampson Colts Secretary
Email juniorsadmin@readinghockeyclub.org.uk

News

Welcome to season 2023/24 which is expected to start on Sunday 3rd September.

Aims and Objectives
• Help children to discover an exciting team sport
• And develop a lifelong love of sport
• Develop core individual and team skills
• Teach players how to train
• Prepare players for the next stage of 11-a-side competitive hockey
• Above all – have fun

Coaching
Method
• Key objective is to instil correct techniques and teamwork, through lots and lot of gameplay
• Each session consists of a warm up, coaching of individual and team skills, followed by a game to put the learning into practice
• Each player plays at least one tournament per month (five per season)
• Players encouraged to practice at home – a tennis ball is fine!

Coaches
• Coaching is led by the Lead Age Group coach with assistant coaches, many of whom are club members and parents
• Many coaches are EH qualified and are taking part in our Coach development Programme
• All parents encouraged to help – no playing experience required
• Assistance is provided to those wanting coaching qualifications

Coaching sessions – each Sunday at RHC
Sessions and times are subject to change - please check news pages for up to date information
• Registration 15 minutes before the session starts
• 9.00 to 10.15 am - U8
• 9.00 to 10.15am - U10s
Subject to guidance to be issued by England Hockey, Minis will play in festivals

Mid-week Minis
We offer a Mid-week Minis training session for U8s and U10s on Mondays 18.15 to 19.15. Both sessions mid-week and Sundays are included in the membership subscription. The main training session is Sunday and any matches are also played n Sundays.

Parents and guardians of children in the U8 and U10s sessions MUST remain on site throughout the training session in case of emergency. Parents and guardians of ages U12 and above are expected to be within 15 minutes (arrival at the pitch side) travel time in case of emergency. It is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to ensure all their membership details for themselves and their children on our members database (pitchero) are current and that they are capable of being contacted during training sessions or matches. This includes all medical and contact details.

Matches and Tournaments

Our Approach
• All U8 and U10 players play in mini-hockey matches or tournaments at least once a month (see Information on the Thames Valley Minis)
• U8 play 4-a-side with 4 goals to enable lots of touches of the ball.
• U10 play may play 5, 6 or 7-a-side goals, again to enable lots of touches of the ball.
• Emphasis is on fun, safety and trying out skills
• There no winners or recording of results
• Rules of Mini Hockey apply – rules are sympathetically applied
• Teams are generally mixed, except the Berkshire In2Hockey U10s tournament

Who we play against
• U8, U10 and U12 teams play in the Thames Valley Minis tournaments against local clubs on the first Sunday in the month in Oct; Nov; Dec ; Feb 2021; Mar 2021
• We enter a number of mixed tournaments for U8 & U10

Berkshire County In2Hockey Tournament
• Teams are entered into the U10 boys and girls tournaments
• Winners represent Berkshire in the South Central regional tournament.
• The event generally takes place in March.
• Squads are organised several weeks in advance.

Selection and Organisation
• The Age Group Administrator will request availability 2-3 weeks in advance and you will be emailed on the timing and location early in the week before a tournament.
• Any changes in the final week should be sent to the Lead Coach and the Age Group Administrator.
• Contact the team manager direct with any problems or questions on the day of the match or tournament.
• Registration will open 15 mins before the start of a session and players must register in and out of a session.

Travel and Directions to matches
• Parents/Guardians are expected to accompany their children to hockey matches and remain on site during the match
• Travel is direct, not via Reading Hockey Club
• Advise the match manager if children are being taken or collected by someone other than a parent
• Directions will be provided by links to other clubs’ websites

What to Bring
• Mouth guard and shin pads (strongly recommended)
• Club Shirt and/or sweatshirt (especially if cold)
• Warm and waterproof clothing for between matches
• Plenty to drink
• Snacks