Junior News - Summer 2024

Well done to all for another successful Junior season!

• We opened an Under-8 section and entered our Hockey Heroes in numerous mini-festivals (including at Barford, above).
• Our U10s and U12s notch more victories and goals in their own age-group tournaments around Staffordshire and Shropshire.
• The Girls Section grew in numbers and experience thanks to their 10+ friendly matches against high-quality opposition. Two years ago we had a handful of Girls players, now we are on the verge of fielding two full teams.
• Our Badgers team got stronger as the season progressed, winning 4 and losing only 1 of their last 7 games.

A big well-done to the following award-winners for last season, as voted for by the Junior Section coaches:

• U8 Player - Lola Wheeler
• U10 Player - Charles Law
• U12 Player - Jacob Francis
• Boys U14 Player - Harshaan Dhillon
• Girls U14 Player - Aimee Astle
• Boys U16 Player - Kai Saville
• Girls U16 Player - Amelia Grimshaw
• Coaches' Award - Luke Astle
• Most Improved Player - Harriet Birdsell
• Badgers Player of the Year - Lizzie Barnes

Those who haven’t yet received their trophies will receive them early in this season.

• Club Day on Sunday 8^th September – see below.
• First training: Sat 7th and Weds 11th Sept
• We are hoping to partner with Lindens Primary School to coach their Yr 4-5 children 💪
• 11-a-side hockey: Badger Conference North (for children aged U12-U15) on Saturdays
• We are also lining up 2 Badger friendlies with an established Warwickshire club
• Programme of Girls 11-a-side friendly matches
• We will enter the following teams in Sunday tournaments this season:

Mini-festivals: U8 Mixed, U10 Mixed, U12 Mixed

South Staffs U14 Mixed/Boys 7-a-side League (Tier3)

For event dates + details, please see the Teamo calendar or message Gary.

Any help with these events (managing the team, umpiring, looking after equipment or keeping score, writing a match report) will be gratefully appreciated. On the subject of volunteers...

Almost all of the club's coaches and staff are volunteers. Our hockey club is founded on the efforts of our volunteers, and without them the club wouldn’t function. We encourage all our members to get involved and help out. Whether it’s umpiring games, organising fixtures, washing kit, managing the daily running of the club, or simply cheering our teams on – everyone’s contribution is valued. If you can help in any way, please message or email us.

• Assistant coaches/helpers on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays
• Collecting equipment after training and at tournaments
• Handing out player refreshments on Saturday matchdays
• Taking photos* / keeping stats on matchdays
• Washing bibs

* Please check with us regarding safeguarding protocol before taking photos of junior players

We are extremely grateful to all the volunteers who helped us last season, including but not limited to youth coaches DaveOB, EdT, DaveC, HelenJ, AmyP, KirbyE, EmilyS, JonC, SteveB, DaveC, GaryK, MarkL and JimmyS; matchday managers RichF and MikaelaA; and team photographers RobB and ChrisL. Thanks also to those who helped us with other jobs throughout the season, including kit washing and providing lifts.

Our first event of the new season Club Day at Aston Uni Recreation Ground. For U8s to U12s there will be fun hockey-related activities followed by a match or mini-tournament.

• Under-12s: 10:00-11:30
• 13 and over: 11:45-15:00
• £5 fee to cover pitch hire
• Non-members also welcome – invite friends or family to get involved!

Please make sure your child always comes to junior training and matches with at least 1 gumshield (ideally 2, they're easily misplaced) and wearing shinpads.

We also recommend wearing at least 1 protective glove, especially for matches.

No other kit is essential (not even sticks, we have those to lend), just suitable loose clothing for the weather.

If you have any questions, worries or suggestions regarding junior hockey at Beacon HC, contact GaryK, DaveC, DaveOB or any of the coaches via Teamo or email.

Thanks for reading and see you all on Junior Club Day or at training.

Best wishes

Gary

Junior Hockey Coordinator