Training will start on Sunday 14th September 2025 as Junior Club Day is Sunday 7th September
Timings for Training
In order to accommodate everyone training will be at the following times with the exception of two dates shown below.
- U8s & U10s – 10:00 – 11:00
- U12s & U14s – 11:00 – 12:00
On the 14th September 2025 training will be an hour earlier with
- U8s & U10s – 09:00 – 10:00
- U12s & U14s – 10:00 – 11:00
On the 21st September 2025 training will be half an hour later
- U8s & U10s – 10:30 – 11:30
- U12s & U14s – 11:30 – 12:30
Training information
- Players will enter the pitch through ‘the cage’ and make sure they have been registered before going on to the pitch. Finishing players will exit the same way and we request that parents attend to collect their children from the ‘cage’.
- Parents can continue to congregate on ‘the bank’ or in ‘the cage’ during sessions, it’s especially nice in the warm weather it
- Registration is via the Truro Hockey Club website or clubbuzz app. This enables us to be fully GDPR compliant and helps us with overall club administration such as invitations to training and matches.
- Players already registered will simply need to renew their registration and the system should have sent a link out prompting you to do that.
- Each player has to be registered individually but if you use the same email address the system will offer you the option to link the accounts as a family under one login.
How to apply for membership…
MEMBER SIGN UP TIPS
- Fill out the form here
- We will then approve your membership application
- Download the Club Buzz app
- You will then receive an email with a link to setup a password and login.
- From here you can login to the club buzz app. (RECOMMENDED) or our website
- Login and fill out your player details including medical & emergency contact info this is essential
- You can then use the app to manage your membership and confirm your planned attendance at training or confirm match selections.
- You can also setup Direct Debit payments once you are logged in to pay for membership subs.
- Membership subs can also be paid via card using the link on the ‘player’ tab.
- If you are experiencing further difficulties please contact Jules Millward via [email protected]
Payment and subs
Unfortunately due to increasing pitch hire costs and a charge levied by England Hockey on the club for each member we have had to increase our subs as follows.
- Years 9 and below – £120*
- Sibling discount is available fore U18s at 10% and this needs to be applied for at the time of registration by emailing [email protected]
- * Some of our older juniors will also be invited to attend senior training and may be eligble for playing senior hockey and as such will be expected to pay the Years 10 and above subs of £160.
- This year we have also needed to introduce a match fee of £5 per tournament. Players paying the years 10 and above subs will be exempt from these fees.
Hockey Kit and Equipment
As of this season we are pleased to announce that our full range of branded kit in the Y1 club shop is available in sizes from Junior Small upwards and so please browse and order direct if you wish. The exception to this is the hoodies, if you wish to order a junior small in this then please email [email protected] at your earliest convenience.
Branded kit is however not required if you do not wish to purchase it. Match shirts will be provided for games. Boys will need white shorts and white socks and girls black skort / shorts and white socks.
Penalty (short) Corner Face Masks
Due to COVID we no longer supply penalty corner masks so we encourage parents to source them. Penalty corners masks aren’t a requirement, they are optional, but parents and players often feel more confident (plus I think the kids like wearing them because they look fierce in them.) It is worth noting that in 7 a-side games ANY child may be required to defend a penalty corner so if you wish your child to wear one then unfortunately this is a new cost this season. Thanks COVID!!
For any parents wishing to buy a new mask then they are readily available online. I would look out for brands like:
- TK
- Grays
- Mercian
- Gryphon
- Dita
Sites to check are:
This may seem like a minefield – and sizing can be tricky but Grays do a range of junior masks that fit the U8’s and U10’s. Brabo also do a Junior range that are quite lightweight
The TK 3.1 is what we used for the U12 boys and U14 Boys last season and they are great value for money too.
Masks should be clearly labelled – they can even be decorated or personalised with stickers so that children can distinguish them, provided that the decoration doesn’t affect the visibility or protrude from the mask (i.e. is flat – you can’t stick bears teeth or studs to them to make them more fierce!!)
Hockey Sticks
Most players in the club already have sticks but for anyone looking to buy new sticks for their children or for new players that haven’t got their own stick then here is a quick guide. Sticks are either made of wood or (more commonly these days) a composite of Fibreglass, Carbon and Aramid. Wooden sticks are great entry level sticks for very young players but they wear out quickly on Astro pitched and players soon grow out of them. However, they do have a ‘softer’ touch on the ball and can make life easier for new players when it comes to controlling the ball. Composite sticks are now the stick of choice for most players at most levels but they come in different shapes, sizes and composites.
Stick length is very much a personal choice. Most U8’s and 10s start with 28” or 30” stick. By the time they hit U12’s that goes up to 34” or 35” and U14’s are mostly playing with full adult sticks that tend to be either 36.5” or 37.5”.
Defenders tend to have longer sticks for greater reach, attackers tend to opt for slightly shorter and lighter sticks for greater speed and skill. Sticks also have different levels of ‘curve’ or ‘bow’ in them for specialist moves like drag flicks or 3D skills. For beginners at any age – the straighter sticks are the best as they are easier to control the ball with. Moving to a ‘large bowed’ stick too soon can actually hinder development as opposed to enhance it.
Click here for a useful guide for anyone that is just starting out.
When it comes to composite sticks then U12’s will probably opt for a stick with slightly more carbon than U10’s which increases ball speed, but also makes control a bit trickier. Typically U12’s play with between 20 and 45% Carbon sticks. U14’s tend to increase that to between 60 and 80% carbon. There is no right or wrong – just personal taste that evolves as you grow. In addition to the big hockey stick names such as Kookaburra, Grays, Mercian, Dita, Adidas, Gryphon, TK and Slazenger there are some newer brands on the scene that offer surprisingly good sticks for what can often be really good value.
Don’t be afraid to buy second hand on eBay either, kids grow quickly and they grow out of sticks. Provided they are in good condition you can often grab a bargain – Ask James Frewer about the stick he bought on eBay from GB International player!!! If the handle grip tape is a little loose on a second hand stick then you can pick that up for a few quid and you have a perfectly functional stick – plus it’s better for the environment because its re-using/recycling.
Shin pads
These are essential for hockey, football ones are fine, hockey ones are better. Ones that have ankle protection are even better. They are readily available online and in sports shops. Get the right size (varies by manufacturer) because if they are too big then they catch the knee cap and if they are too small then they don’t offer enough protection.
Gum Shields
As coaches we strongly advise that all players wear a gum shield that fits at all times during training and matches. Contrary to popular belief, it is not an ACTUAL requirement and we can’t enforce it. An ill fitting gum shield however will be more trouble than no gum shield because it will fall out and players will just chew it.
Buy the correct size (Junior for most kids) and follow the fitting instructions – most require being moulded in hot water and ‘sucked and bitten’ in place in the mouth. They are readily available at sports direct or online at Amazon and all other sports retailers. If you child struggles with keeping a regular gum shield in then the Sisu range are worth looking at. They take a few goes to get the fit right, but you can reshape them in hot water. Once fitted they don’t come out unless you ‘clip’ them out with a finger nail. They also allow you to talk, breathe and drink with them in.
Astro (training) Shoes
You can’t wear football boots on a hockey astro pitch. You can wear regular trainers but they offer little grip on a slippy surface. Astro trainers are by far the best solution and offer the best grip. Ones designed for hockey also offer the best foot protection – football astros will grip, but can be thinner and have a lower heel which can leave the foot exposed. Another option (which many senior players use) are trail running shoes – as they are basically the same as an Astro but often a bit cheaper. Look for ones with a ‘chunky’ tread.
Gloves
Not essential but useful to avoid knocks on the knuckles from the pitch and sticks. Don’t panic – they tend to come in Left Hand only (not a pair) as most players prefer to have their right hand free, and it’s the left hand that takes the knocks – but you can get some versions in right hand too – some defenders prefer to have both during a game. Again,most players prefer the ‘short fingered glove’ and often prefer ‘open palm’ so you can still feel the stick. ‘Skins’ or ‘Skinful’ layers don’t offer any protection apart from against the cold.
Base layers
Not essential, but they can offer a bit of protection for legs and knees of you slip over. They can also keep you a bit warmer in the winter months. Tracksuit bottoms are also perfectly acceptable.
Volunteers
As always we rely on you, the parents stepping up to the plate and helping out where possible. If anyone wants to help out as a coach then please let us know. The more we have the better training we can deliver. Smaller groups always work better than larger groups. We also need volunteers to help with registration for each group if possible – dead easy – just tick them in or add their name to the list if not already there (along with contact details). Other roles will become apparent as we move through the season.