I’m hoping that by now, most of you will have heard of the new initiative launched by England Hockey (EH) to bring the game into primary/junior schools. EH has taken on feedback from School Games Organisers, teachers, young people and clubs such as Rotherham Hockey Club (RHC), to address some of the real and perceived barriers that stand in the way of hockey being delivered in primary schools, and in so doing have created a new, safe and inclusive skill station format. The inclusion has allowed the national governing body to share the new School Games offer to help make hockey more visible, relevant and accessible to young people in education. This is where the increase in club’s association fees is being diverted.

On Wednesday 15th October, EH delivered a free 2hr CPD session alongside myself and our SGO (Ross Ingliss), to staff from 16 schools at Rotherham Hockey Club to support teachers and coaches delivering hockey to primary pupils. The afternoon provided practical strategies, up-to-date knowledge and opportunities to share best practice. The course received excellent feedback and attending staff were offered QuickSticks equipment to help apply their new skills.

I'm delighted to tell you that EH have chosen our club to be a case study due to our past involvement with providing coaching sessions in schools and the fact that we have a strong junior section. I can tell you that as a club, we are well ahead of the game compared to other clubs and this is precisely why EH want to showcase RHC as an example to other clubs across the UK. This raises the profile of RHC and provides excellent kudos when EH refer other area SGO's and club coaches to us.

Attending schools have been invited to the Y3/4 QuickSticks Festival on 5th November — some 16 to 18 schools will be present across the day. Chosen activities will be supported by Young Leaders using game/activity cards, supplied by EH, to enable schools to deliver a six-week session, alongside a new scheme of work to allow the teaching of the skill station content within curriculum time. In support of this scheme, I attended Wath Academy to help deliver the young leader’s course.

Twenty pupils on this course were selected from a much larger group as being the most suitable to learn and develop their leadership skills. These pupils will attend the hockey festival on the 5th of November at RHC. Under supervision from myself, our SGO and teaching staff from their school, they will run the morning and afternoon sessions. This leader’s course, combined with the CPD day and the festival on the 5th of November, forms part of an assessment and evaluation feedback form that RHC will be required to submit to EH.

The whole scheme is designed to try and attract younger people to our sport and to provide our club with greater recruitment opportunities. It will also allow RHC to build a closer relationship with our local schools.

We are always looking for extra support to deliver coaching in schools. Anyone interested in coaching or wanting to be part of this project will be most welcome. Take advantage of the free online coaching workshops from EH and help us spread the sport in our local community. If you are interested, please contact any member of the Management Committee or email me.

Regards

James Swinscoe
RHC Schools Coaching Officer
James.swinscoe@rotherhamhc.org.uk