As we approach the start of the new season on Saturday please find below some details for the season ahead.

Lead Coach

We please to confirm that Colin James will continue as the lead coach for the junior/minis section. Colin has a long history with the club and also is currently a senior men’s coach with Maidenhead and part of the Bucks County coaching team.

 

Training

Training for U8s, U10s and U12s takes place on Saturday morning at Wycombe High School.

Start Time:   08.30am

Finish:            10.00am

Please can all players arrive at 8.20am to ensure a prompt start at 8.30 (I know this is an early start but we have frequently lost time last season due to late arrivals and there is usually a Senior match starting at 10.15am so we cannot over run).

Parents – please can you ensure you deliver the players to pitch side and NOT just drop players off in the car park to find their own way to the pitch.  In this way we can register all players onto the pitch and then off again at the end of the session.

Training Dates

We have the following dates reserved for training (we may adjust dates as we go through the season):

2018

September   8 (club day), 15, 22, 29

October        6, 13, 20, (not 27)

Nov                3, 10, 17, 24

Dec                 1, 8, 15, (not 22), (not 29)

2019

Jan                  5, 12, 19, 26

Feb                 2, 9, 16, (not 23)

March            2, 9, 16, 23, 30

April               6, (not 13), (not 20), 27 – final session (end of season)

Competitions

TVM:

U10s will play in the Thames Valley Minis again this season. This is mixed 7-a-side hockey which has the emphasis on participation and fun. It is a round robin format with no formal league structure.

TVM dates are (Sundays):

7/10

4/11

2/12

3/2/19

3/3/19          

Locations for the above are flexible and are agreed between the clubs participating 2 weeks before each date. Currently we are being asked to host on 4/11/2018 and 3/3/2019.    

There will be a U10 County Championship date in late March 2018 which has not been set yet. This is the only knockout competition the U10’s play and for this we will split into separate Boys and Girls teams.

U8s – we have traditionally only had a small U8 section so have not participated in the TVM for U8s. Depending on final numbers and coaching availability we will either look to take an U8 team to the TVM (same dates as above but typically different location) or we will take older U8’s with us to the U10 tournaments.

U12 will play in their age group specific competitions. More information will be provided from the age group organisers.

Kit

Club kit it NOT mandatory for training but please dress appropriately for the weather. We ask that each player has the following as a minimum at each training session and competitions: Gum Shield and Shin Pads (hockey shin pads are preferred but please talk to the coaches for further advice if you intend to use shin pads from a different sport), Water bottle, Hat and gloves as the weather gets colder.

Parents please note: we cannot allow players to participate in training without gum shields and shin pads. Players will also be prevented from playing in competitions without these items. 

For competitions the club has two complete sets of U10 Wycombe club shirts for players to use on the day.

If you want to buy Wycombe kit during the season then please contact: Hawkin Sports www.hawkinsport.co.uk

Patents, a note on Footwear/Sports Shoes: We will play all of our matches on Astro Turf. While you can get specialist Hockey Shoes, ordinary sports shoes or running shoes are perfectly acceptable for the U8 – U12 age group. When selecting sports shoes in the future which you intend to use for hockey (as well as other activities) I would encourage you (based on experience) to select shoes with as much raised grip on the sole as possible. Smooth soled sports shoes tend to be more slippery for players in wet conditions and on older Astro Turf surfaces. 

U12

U12s are welcome to train on Saturdays AND/OR their designated age group midweek session.

If for logistical or any other reason you can only train on Saturdays please let the coaches know and we will make sure you are linked in to the U12 age group co-ordinators and coaches for U12 tournaments and other U12 information. 

Adverse Weather Procedure

As Hockey is a winter sport we are often subject to bad weather. We are rarely put off by rain but we do occasionally have problems with snow and a frost (particularly as we start early). During the winter months our procedure is as follows:

Obvious/persistent bad weather during the week (or on the advice of WHS ground staff) – we will cancel training on the Friday evening. Communication will be by email and a notice on the club Facebook page.  

Sessions subject to a pitch inspection – sessions where we expect an overnight frost but can’t predict the severity/pitch impact will require a pitch inspection. This will usually take place between 7.30 am and 8.00 am. If we have to cancel then communications will again be by email and message on the club Facebook page. On frosty mornings please keep an eye out for any communications before you travel. We will endeavour to get communications out as quickly as possible but there may be occasions when you get to the pitch to find a session has been called off. 

If we have to call off a session midway through due to weather or changing pitch conditions (which does happen) then we will post a notice as above but we will hold all players in the changing rooms until parents arrive.

Please can you make sure the email and telephone details are up-to-date on player registrations for both parents and/or both guardians/carers (if they are different) so that we can communicate with everyone effectively.  

 

Other

Finally, a reminder that all subscriptions and match fees will be collected via direct debit this season. If you have not done so already please can you setup your account ready for the next statement. This can be done from ‘your account’ when you log on. Subs will be added to your account in August and appear on your statement in September. Payment will then be taken via direct debit on or around 1st October.

Hope you all have a great season, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I will look to get parents together on a Saturday in the next few weeks for a Q&A session.

Regards

Graeme

Email – [email protected]

Tel – 07766061612

 

Annex

Use Of Wycombe High School facility

Wycombe Hockey Club kindly ask that all players & visitors respect Wycombe High School premises  & facilities.

ACCESS (see site plan on next page)

•       Drive in through first set of barriers, bear left and through second set of barriers, park in car park on the left (tennis courts behind Miller block)

•       Changing facilities in pavilion (building next to tennis courts)

•       Warm up to be on hardcourt areas, or Astro, not on the field

•       For Astro , follow pathway between buildings and down the side of the sports block.

•       Entry to Astro through gate nearest sports block.

•       Pathways must be used at all times, no access across the grass.

•       Warm up to be on hardcourt areas, or Astro, not on the field

ON THE ASTRO 

•       Clean footwear only, no studs

•       No food on Astro

•       No chewing gum

•       Use litter bins provided

•       No smoking or alcohol on premises

•       Dug Outs to be only used by match officials, coaches & players  during matches

 

 

 

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