Our Junior Academy provides a pathway for young players to really develop their hockey, from possibly their first introduction to the sport right through to representing the club (and maybe even beyond!) at adult level. Our continuous target is to make KHC Junior Academy a real centre of excellence for junior hockey, and as such we focus on fun, engaging sessions that make our youngsters want to keep coming back and push themselves to be their best.

At the Junior Academy we coach players from Reception to Year 7. From Year 8 onward, junior players rain and play in the senior teams which is great for their development and can be a terrific confidence boost. From our experience the juniors love transitioning to the senior teams and usually move up the squads very quickly, and it’s all part of helping each player reach their full potential.

Where and when do we play? Training takes place on the astroturf pitch at Bishop Stopford School, Headlands, Kettering, NN15 6BJ. We train on Tuesday nights from 6.00-7.00pm. Our season runs from September through to March. Training for the 25/26 season starts on Tuesday 2nd September.

Matches. Children of all ages have the opportunity to play in tournaments (festivals) against other local clubs on a Sunday morning (normally held once a month). These are friendly events and very popular. Home tournaments (festivals) are played at Bishop Stopford School and away fixtures will be mostly within a 20-mile distance from Kettering.

What to wear & bring? Your child must wear trainers/boots suitable for astroturf (no studs or blades) and ideally shin pads. We have plenty of sticks available to borrow if you don’t yet have your own. Sports clothing suitable for the weather at the time should be worn and a drink/bottle of water will also be needed. Gum shields are also advisable.

What does it cost? Junior training is £5 per training session. Junior Academy membership is also required for the season, to cover insurance, membership to England Hockey and Kettering Hockey Club payable after your first 2 training sessions, and this is £30 for the year. Sunday tournaments (festivals) have a £4 match fee.

At Kettering HC, we are a club that wants people to play hockey and should anyone experience genuine financial hardship then we encourage them to speak to our Treasurer, Kirsty Smith, in the strictest of confidence, to discuss the payment of their Annual Subscription. Kirsty can be contacted on treasurer@ketteringhockeyclub.co.uk

Goalkeeper training. We have dedicated junior goalkeeper training on Tuesday nights with a goalkeeper coaches on the team and he is present most weeks. Those wanting to learn the art of goalkeeping receive a combination of dedicated goalkeeper training with the coaches as well as joining the rest of the teammates for group sessions.

Hopefully this gives you the information needed before coming to see our Junior Academy for yourself, but if you have any questions please feel free to email operations@ketteringhockeyclub.co.uk