7th April

We are approaching the end of the hockey season and the arrangements for the final three weeks are as follows:

 11 Apr – there will be no training as many juniors will be involved with the Yazoo mini hockey championship

18 Apr – final training session of the season – usual times

25 Apr – SYL festival matches

 Thanks for your commitment and enthusiasm.  Enjoy the summer break.

Elton

3rd November

U14 teams – Neil Macaulay has kindly agreed to run an U14 Boys Suffolk Youth League team.  We have 3 fixtures planned (including re-scheduling the rained-off game against Colchester).  The plan is to develop current U13s to enter the U14 HA Cup next season.  Please give Neil your full support.

I am still looking for someone to manage an U14 Girls HA Cup team next season.  If your daughter plays in the current U13 teams, please consider volunteering.  It would be a shame to miss the opportunity.

Suffolk Youth League – the U13 teams started their league campaigns on 18 Oct at home with good performances.  The U11 and U9 teams start their campaigns on 15 Nov at Colchester.

HA Cup – all our teams play their second round matches on 15 Nov.  Both girls teams play away and both boys teams are at home at Henley Road starting at 1300.  Please come along and support our teams

Inclement weather arrangements – looks like the Indian summer is coming to an end, so time to re-iterate the bad weather cancellation procedure.

The Head Coach will make a decision following a pitch inspection at 9.30 am and inform the club that Sunday training is cancelled. When we get bad weather (rain, frost or snow), please contact the club on: 01473 251143 to confirm that the session will take place.

Kukri Kit – Kukri Sport will be at Junior training on 8 Nov.  You will have the opportunity to try and buy kit that should be delivered in time for Christmas.

 Elton D’Souza

12th October

The season is up and running - great to see so many Juniors [and parents] participating... 

U14 teams – England Hockey has started a new Junior age category this year.  We have the opportunity to enter a Boys team into an 11-a-side Suffolk Youth League competition starting in Jan 2010, and will also have the option of entering U14 Boys and Girls teams into next year’s HA Cup.  This is a critical stage in the transition from Junior to Adult hockey.  I would like to enter teams in all competitions, but need helpers who’s children will benefit [current U13s] to take this on.  Please contact me if you can help. 

Remember no-helpers = no-teams.

Suffolk Youth League – matches start on 18 Oct.  The U9 & U11 matches due to be played on 11 Oct at Newmarket have been re-scheduled to 6 Dec.  If your child wants to be considered for selection, please ensure that the relevant team manager [details on the website] is aware.

18 Oct special arrangements – we are hosting U13 SYL matches at Henley Road.  There will be training for the U11s at the usual time [10-11] at Tuddenham Road.

ClubsFirst – we aim to get accredited this season.  It is critical to developing our club and funding replacement pitches.  A lot of work needs to be done.  Can you help?

HA Cup – the U16 Boys beat Dereham [14-2] with a powerful display.  The U18 Boys lost to a strong Chelmsford team [2-6] but should have a good run in the plate competition.  Both Girls teams got a bye into Round 2.

Junior Academy – the elite junior performance academy coached by James Kingstone [details on website] has started with a talented group of our Juniors.  We expect great things from them in years to come.

Junior Schedule – the latest schedule is now on the website.

Half-term coaching course – James Kingstone and Jo Ellis are running a coaching course [26-28 Oct] for all ability boys and girls aged 8-15 [details on the website].

Junior transition to senior team – if your child is over 13 and would like to start playing for a senior team, please contact the 5s team captain, Mark Brett mgbrett@yahoo.co.uk.  The team trains on Thursdays at Tuddenham Road, 18.30-20.00. 

Elton D’Souza

2nd September 2009

This year the Junior Hockey season starts with the Club Day on 5 Sep and the first coaching session on 6 Sep.  We welcome Juniors between the age of 6-15 of all standards to take part in a range of activities including training for beginners, competitive matches and a Hockey Academy for developing advanced skills

Programme
Sunday coaching – weekly coaching sessions at Henley Road – all welcome.  We are delighted that Andy Swindin (L3 Coach) will continue as Head Coach and lead the Sunday sessions.

10-11am coaching for 6-11 boys and girls
11-12.30pm coaching for 11-15 boys and girls

Suffolk Youth League – U9 mixed, U11 mixed, U13 boys, U13 girls & U16 boys
HA Youth Cup - U15 & U18 boys & girls
Hockey Academy - for age group (13-16) who want to develop advanced skills - details to follow

Cost

This year the cost for each Sunday training sessions will be £3 on a pay-and play basis.  Training sessions are free to Ipswich Sports Club members.

A £1 match fee per player will be charged for all league and cup matches. 

Volunteer Help

The success of Junior Hockey depends on volunteer helpers (primarily parents).  There are many jobs that need doing including administration at Sunday coaching, coaching assistance team management and shirt washing. So whatever your skill set, please volunteer to help – the success of the programme depends on you.

Communications

All Junior Hockey information will be posted on the website below so please ensure you keep up to date by looking at it regularly.

http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html

Look forward to a great season

Elton D’Souza

13th March 2009

We are approaching the end of the season and desperately trying to catch up on fixtures cancelled due to bad weather.  This means we only have two more coaching sessions this season.  Please check the hockey schedule on the website:

http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html.

Sunday coaching - only two more sessions to go: 22 Mar & 26 Apr.  There will be no coaching on the following Sundays:
15 Mar - home SYL matches against Newmarket.
29 Mar - home SYL matches against Colchester
05 Apr - away SYL matches against Bury
12 Apr - Easter Sunday
19 Apr - SYL Finals day.

HA Cup - unfortunately the dream is over for all our teams.  The U18 Girls lost on penalty flicks against Leicester in a very tight match.  Both our  U15 & U18 Boys lost to stronger Peterborough teams.  However, all teams whilst sick as parrots, have been a credit to the club and will benefit greatly from the cup-run experience.

Suffolk Youth League - the latest results are on the website.

Parent's Survey - Thanks to those who have already completed a survey.  We will be distributing surveys over the next few week - please take the time to complete one as your views will help shape how we run Junior Hockey next year.

Elton D'Souza

3rd February 2009

There are a number of updates on the website.  Please keep yourself informed.
http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html.

Sunday coaching - an updated Junior Hockey Schedule is on the website.  There will be no coaching on 8 Feb due to re-scheduled SYL matches against Colchester.

Inclement weather cancellation - unfortunately the bad weather persists.  Appreciate the frustration of a few parents, but  the position is as follows:

We need a Level 2 Head Coach to run junior training in order to validate our Club insurance. Part of his responsibility is ensuring safety of the young people taking part in the session and includes making a decision whether conditions are fit for play. We need to make that decision and inform the club by 9.30 so that parents can check whether to attend or not. This morning (1 Feb) at ~9.15, after the Head Coach inspected the pitch, we decided to cancel the earlier session but proceed with the later session hoping the condition would improve - it did. I too am frustrated with the weather, but it's not something we can easily control!

So to re-iterate, when we get bad weather, please contact the club on: 01473 251143 to confirm that the session will take place BEFORE travelling.

SYL Matches on 25 Jan - on an extremely wet Sunday, Felixstowe were unable to field any teams leaving most of our teams without opposition.  Thankfully, Lowestoft U13G did arrive (eventually) and our U16B had competitive matches at Colchester.  All results and scorers on the website.

England Hockey Website - a new Junior Hockey website has been launched with lot's of exciting initiatives such as web chats with international players and news podcasts.  Do have a look:
http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/
http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/youth/

Elton D'Souza

6th January 2009

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the first update of 2009 - please keep fully informed by looking at the Junior Hockey website regularly:   http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html.

Sunday coaching - will resume on 11 Jan - weather permitting.  The schedule for the rest of the season is on the website.

Inclement weather cancellation - a reminder given the recent weather - the Head Coach will make a decision following a pitch inspection at 9.30 am and inform the club that Sunday training is cancelled. When we get bad weather (rain, frost or snow), please contact the club on: 01473 251143 to confirm that the session will take place.

Brentwood Indoor Tournament - 5 Ipswich teams played in an excellent well organised tournament against teams from as far a field as Canterbury and Havant.  It was an excellent experience for our Juniors, many of whom were playing indoors for the first time.  A big thank you to the team managers who organised teams and Richard Pittaway for coaching.  Pictures from the tournament can be seen on the DE Photos website (select Albums/Hockey/Indoor Hockey/2009)

http://www.dephotos.co.uk/album.html

Parent Survey - we will be seeking your views on Junior Hockey shortly via a survey that will be distributed at Sunday training towards the end of Jan.  Please complete a survey to ensure your views are represented in our future planning.

Goal Keepers and Goalscorers Coaching Sessions - for 7-16 Year olds. 
Time: Mondays 6pm – 7pm @ Tuddenham Road.  Cost: £30 for 10 sessions
Dates: on 5/12/19/26 Jan Mon 2/9/23 Feb Mon2/9/16 March
Goalkeepers - opportunity to have specific GK coaching (some sessions will be led by South Africa’s Beijing Olympic GK Mariette Rix)
Goalscorers – learn top tips from National League forwards to help you score more goals for your school and club
Details on the website:  http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Coaching%20Courses.html

Look forward to seeing you in 2009.

Elton D'Souza

8th December 2008

Welcome to the last update of 2008 - please keep fully informed by looking at the Junior Hockey website regularly:   http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html.

Sunday coaching - there will be no more coaching this year.  Coaching sessions resume on 11 Jan.
I have had a number of comments concerning the number of coaching sessions that have been cancelled in the run up to Christmas.  This was due to a combination of HA Youth Cup home matches, snow and SYL matches (cancelled due to frost).  We are looking at ways of improving the situation next season by arranging indoor training either side of Christmas.  Hopefully, we will have a better run in the New Year.

U9 & U11 friendly matches - team managers have organised fun matcher at Henley Road on 14 & 21 Dec for anyone who wants to play.  Please contact your team managers for details.

Inclement weather cancellation - a reminder given the recent weather - the Head Coach will make a decision following a pitch inspection at 9.30 am and inform the club that Sunday training is cancelled. When we get bad weather (rain, frost or snow), please contact the club on: 01473 251143 to confirm that the session will take place.

SYL matches - unfortunately we had to cancel matches against Colchester on 7 Dec due to a frozen pitch.  With hind-sight we were over optimistic that the brilliant sunshine would thaw the frost and should have cancelled matches earlier to save wasted journey's.  A lesson for next time - the pitch was still unplayable at 12pm!  We will re-schedule in the New Year.

HA Cup - three of our youth teams got through to the quarter final stage of the competition on 30 Nov.  The U18 Boys started the day off with a great 4-2 win over Harleston, followed the U15 Boys 12-0 demolition of Harleston. The U15 Girls were beaten by a good Canterbury side but the U18 Girls beat Dereham 4-1.

Hockey courses - two excellent courses organised by Issy Sheldrake are scheduled:
1. Goal Keepers and Goalscorers Coaching Sessions - for 7-16 Year olds. 
Time: Mondays 6pm – 7pm @ Tuddenham Road.  Cost: £30 for 10 sessions
Dates: on 5/12/19/26 Jan Mon 2/9/23 Feb Mon2/9/16 March
Goalkeepers - opportunity to have specific GK coaching (some sessions will be led by South Africa’s Beijing Olympic GK Mariette Rix)
Goalscorers – learn top tips from National League forwards to help you score more goals for your school and club

2. Christmas Coaching Day - Monday 22nd December 2008 @ Henley Road.
Session runs 9.30 am to 3.30pm for 7-16 Year olds.
ONLY £20 for the day.
Book quickly places limited.
Details on the website:  http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Coaching%20Courses.html
Brentwood indoor tournament - 3 Jan - we have entered five teams (U9M, U11 B&G, U13 B&G).  We have an indoor coaching session organised at Rushmere sports centre on 15 Dec.  Please contact you team manager for details.

Evening Star - we had our first match reports in Tuesday, December 2 edition Grass Roots, a weekly junior sport supplement.  The U18 & U15 Boys HA Cup victories  were reported in a half-page spread.  We look forward to more reports next year.

It simply leaves me to thank all volunteers and parents for their commitment throughout the year.  Have a great break and look forward to seeing you in 2009.

Elton D'Souza

3rd November 2008

Junior Hockey website - this is now the font of all [Junior Hockey] knowledge.  Please have a look:  http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html for the latest newsletters, playing schedule, team contacts & results/goal scorers.

Sunday training - there will be no training on 9 Nov and 7 Dec due to HA Cup and SYL home matches.

Volunteer Helpers - I am delighted that Julia Rudland and Angela Scott have agreed to manage the U13 Girls team supported by Will Dale who will help with match day coaching and umpiring.  A big thank you to all team managers and admin helpers who play an absolutely key role:

SYL team managers:  Dave Hughes, Edward Downie, Neil Macaulay, Hugo Sacker, Matthew Payne, Steve Askins, Julia Rudland, Angela Scott, Richard Youngman

HA Cup team managers:  Toby Lever, Hannah Tallent, Geoff Reed, Graham Underwood, Issy Sheldrake
Admin helpers:  Janet Neale, Claire Macaulay, Iain Bott, Oliver Morgan

If you would like to help in any way, please contact me:  elton.dsouza@bt.com

HA Cup - all our youth teams play their second round matches on 9 Nov - good luck!

Suffolk Youth League - all teams made an excellent start to the league with 7 wins & 1 loss.  Results and goal scorers are on the website.  Next set of matches are on 16 Nov.

Hockey Academy - we are still in the process of getting this set-up, now likely to be early 2009.  Watch this space.

Elton D'Souza

10th October 2008

Suffolk Youth League - the rules for this season are as follows:

• Age qualification for U9-U13 matches will be 1st September; because these age groups are not covered by the county changes and it makes it easier for parents and players to understand.
• Age Qualification for U16 Boys will be 1st January of the season being played (the same as for county qualification).
• U9 teams are not required to have a keeper, if one is used they should be fully kitted out; no kicking backs are allowed to be used, if there is no goalkeeper all U9 players are classed as out-field players.
• U11s, U13G, U13B, and U16B teams should have a fully kitted GK, if no GK is available that team shall forfeit the points for that match and any game played will be classed as a friendly and should be officiated by the clubs themselves; young umpires will not officiate games without fully kitted goalkeepers.

Please note that qualification for ALL County teams remains 1 Jan.  We have changed our policy to align with SYL age qualification, so you may be contacted by a different team manager for the matches on 19 Oct

HA Cup - our teams made a winning start on a very wet Sunday:  http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/results.html.   The U15 Girls beat Watton 5-0, the U15 Boys beat Dunmow 7-3, and the U18 Boys got a 3-0 walk over from Dereham.  Congratulations to all teams who progress into Round 2.

Club kit - the Kukri on-line shop is now open [only 2 weeks] for the purchase of club kit: http://87.106.12.113/cm-app/SVLnet.html?siteId=500&pageId=5232.

Elton D'Souza

29th September 2008

We have made a great start to the season with over 100 Juniors attending the first two Sundays.  Last Sunday we had two of our England U16 players (Josh Godfrey & Jonny Gall) helping with coaching and aim to get more of our England stars working with the Juniors as the season progresses.

This is the first e-update and will form part of regular communication via e-mail and the Ipswich Hockey Club website: http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/ …

No Sunday Coaching on 5 Oct - we have a full programme of Suffolk Youth League (SYL) matches and HA Cup matches so there will be no training at the club.

Team Managers - a big thank you to all who have volunteered to manage a team: http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/JuniorS.html.  Without these volunteers there would be no teams.  Please support them by ensuring they know if your child is available for matches.

U13 Girls Team Manager - I still need a team manager (ideally two people to share the load) for the U13 Girls.  Please contact me if you can help: elton.dsouza@bt.com.

SYL Teams Selection - we will be running 2 teams in each age category (U9 mixed, U11 mixed, U13 boys & U13 girls) requiring a squad of 10 for each team.  Our aim is to give everyone who want to play competitively a game.  However, if teams are oversubscribed preference will be given to those who have attended the most training sessions.  So please ensure that your child registers at every Sunday session.

Sunday Coaching Helpers - we already have a good core of admin and coaching helpers, but always need more.  If you are able to help, please let me know.

Training & Fixture Schedule - the latest version is on the website: http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/JuniorS.html

Gum shields & Shin pads - we strongly recommend that all participants wear these to all hockey sessions.

County Trials - details of trial dates, venues and age qualification are on the website: http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html.

Half Term Junior Coaching Course - details on the website: http://www.ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk/Jnews.html.

Inclement Weather Cancellation - the Head Coach will make a decision following a pitch inspection at 9.30 am and inform the club that Sunday training is cancelled.  When we get bad weather (rain, frost or snow), please contact the club on: 01473 251143 to confirm that the session will take place.

Elton D'Souza