Saints Academy: Information for Parents and Carers

Academy image

Opportunities

Our Saints Academy aims to help 'inspire the future' in this great, family-friendly sport. It offers opportunities to train and play for boys and girls of all abilities between the ages of 5 and 18.

No previous hockey experience or knowledge is required.

We are specialist sport partners with several local schools including Kimbolton School and Longsands Academy. Saints players have enjoyed success at both county and regional level.

If you have a child who is interested in taking up hockey, please contact our lead Academy Coach Tim Sutton.

Training & Games

Our season runs from September - June, pausing for school holidays, but normally running during half term.

Academy training is held in 2 sessions on a Sunday morning, each with multiple coaching groups:

Age 5-12 (10-11.30am) where players are split into age and skill appropriate groups. They will learn basic skills and start team activities.
Ages 13 to 18 (11.30-1pm) designed to build on basic training, develop vital skills and provide some individual feedback. Can also train and play in our adult and youth development teams.

You can see our current Sunday Academy dates on our calendar here. Check our Facebook page and website for any changes due to bad weather.

The Academy is active in a full range of national and local competitions. It caters for all standards of players allowing them to develop at an appropriate pace. Not all children will want to progress to adult hockey immediately. Some just enjoy playing with their friends and our aim is to support them having fun.

The Academy also offers a player pathway - by invitation -to access evening adult training from age 13 and progression to our adult development teams. Tournaments and games will be advised with plenty of notice.

Equipment

Children need to come along wearing clothes and footwear suitable for sport (but no football boots please) and layers for when it gets cold, including gloves. We recommend all children wear gum guards and shin pads.

We have a supply of training sticks to use if you are new to hockey.

Once you or your child is a member, then club kit is available via the Members Info section.

Who will be coaching my child?

Our coaches are England Hockey Board-certified to Level 1 or Level 2 and we operate best practice NGB standards and child safeguarding in our Academy.

We welcome volunteer parents who can help, under the supervision of coaches, to get the most out of each session. Goalkeeper development is supported with dedicated coaches as well as integration into team skills and small-sided games.

Safeguarding

The Club has adopted England Hockey Safeguarding Policies and is committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment to play hockey - for all ages and abilities.

EH Safeguarding and Protection - The Policy sets out the commitments made by England Hockey with regard to safeguarding young people and certain general principles and specific guidance that should be followed by The Hockey Family.

EH Good Practice Guidance provides details on England Hockey guidance on good practice in relation to anti bullying, transport, changing rooms, social media etc.

The following also highlights what Parents and Carers can expect from the Club and vice versa :- To be added

Medical information for juniors (Under 18s)

Parents and Carers are requested to enter and keep up to date any relevant medical information on the Club database(s) - but it is also very important that Parents and Carers keep coaches, managers and (adult) team captains directly informed, of Children's medical conditions as access to the database(s) may not be available in some environments.

Supervision/Transportation/Photography/Protective Equipment

All Parents and Carers are reminded that:-

i) at training sessions for U12's and below, they are expected to remain at the Club whilst training takes place - unless they nominate another named responsible adult in the event of an issue arising (e.g. injury).

ii) for minis tournaments (U10s and U12s) - they are expected to remain at the venue with their child - unless they nominate another named responsible adult in the event of an issue arising (and have notified the relevant manager or coach).

iii) at training sessions for younger age groups - they (or a nominated responsible adult) should be available to escort children to the toilets (coaches need to remain on the pitch to supervise other children).

iv) with respect to transportation (applicable to all U18 members) it is not the Club's responsibility to transport children to and from fixtures. If you have any objections with other parents/guardians, adults or players associated with the Club transporting the above to Tournaments/Matches, it is your responsibility to provide transportation on all occasions when your child is selected for a team.

v) with respect to Photography, in some environments, particularly adult competition it is impossible to control photography by external parties. Therefore, there may be times that photographs and/or footage may be taken during matches and training sessions by approved agents and/or officers of St Neots Hockey Club. Photographs taken as per the above may appear in the press or Club Website/Club social media.

vi) with respect to protective equipment - under 18s should wear shin pads and gum shields. Face masks must also be worn when defending short corners for all age groups from U12 upwards i.e. U12, U14, U16 and U18. Parents must ensure they purchase a suitable face mask for their child.

Code of Ethics and Behaviour

St Neots Hockey Club has signed up to the England Hockey Code of Ethics and Behaviour. All members (including juniors), parents, visitors and club officials are expected to conduct themselves at all times in keeping with this EH Safeguarding and Protection

Any Questions?
saintscoaching@gotim.co.uk