Training

Please note there are no Toilets or changing facilities available at the pitch so players should relieve themselves before attending.

We have some exciting developments in the Junior Section we would like to share with you.

After two years of exceptional growth the Junior Section is now larger than ever and provides hockey sessions for 240 youngsters. Eastcote Hockey Club is committed to continually improve the hockey experiences we provide for our young people.

Following a comprehensive review of the coaching arrangements, session timings and capability of the groups; we are about to implement a number of changes that we feel will deliver a more tailored approach to meet the individual needs of the players as well as the wider Club ambitions to provide a more seamless transition process for skilled Juniors to feed Adult teams at every level.

To facilitate the above the new structure will consist of the following groups:

• U6 mixed
• U8 mixed
• U11 Eastcote Development Academy Boys (EDA) School Years 4,5 & 6
• U11 Eastcote Performance Pathway Boys (EPP) School Years 4,5 & 6
• U11 Eastcote Development Academy Girls (EDA) School Years 4,5 & 6
• U11 Eastcote Performance Pathway Girls (EPP) School Years 4,5 & 6
• U14 Eastcote Performance Pathway (EPP) Boys for School Years 7,8 & 9
• U14 Eastcote Development Academy (EDA) Boys for School Years 7,8 & 9
• U14 Eastcote Performance Pathway (EPP) Girls for School Years 7,8 & 9
• U14 Eastcote Development Academy (EDA) Girls for School Years 7,8 & 9
• U16 Boys
• U16 Girls (matches only for 2021/22 season)
• U18 Boys

The new structure will allow us to deliver appropriate coaching to all levels within the section with the EPP and EDA positioned thus:

Eastcote Development Academy (EDA)

• The focus for the EDA is hockey fundamentals including receiving skills, passing skills, dribbling skills, shooting skills and defending.
• The EDA will enter appropriate league/festivals to stretch the players and give them match practice.

Eastcote Performance Pathway (EPP)

• The focus for the EPP is to develop these players by providing them with a training environment that better reflects the needs of the group. For the U14s, this may include technical and tactical coaching, mentoring, strength & conditioning, performance profiling & psychometric assessments (mental toughness).
• The EPP will enter appropriate league/festivals to stretch the players and give them match practice.
• This is the biggest redevelopment the Junior section has undergone, coupled with the increased demands on the pitch.

We are excited about launching the new structure and believe that it is the right development for our young players and the club. Our coaches have spent a long time considering the groups and the format. We know that change always causes concern, but please, we ask you to support us as we move into this format.

Want to get involved?

The junior section is always looking for more people to be involved; be they coaches, helpers or administrators. Please let the Juniors Section Captain know if you might be interested.

Schedule

Currently we are hoping to restart as detailed below for 2021/22 and are awaiting new guidance from England Hockey. The new timetable is below – please read through it carefully as there are many changes from previous years. The changes allow the section to grow and where appropriate to have more pitch space. Coaching: Starts in mid-September and runs until the end of April, except Christmas, New Year and Easter. Please check your times and venue as this season may see changes.