As we go through this hopefully short November / December lockdown, it gives time to pause for breath and reflect on all the WHC Junior section has achieved already in this start/stop 2020/21 season.
COMETS MIXED UNDER 12 – SUNDAYS
It has been great to see so many Comets players at Sunday training every week from 11.30am to 1.00pm. These sessions restarted in July, with socially distanced small groups of 6 divided into different sections of the pitch. With no tackling or matches allowed, it gave the opportunity to tune our basic skills and learn new games like ‘Round the World’ and ‘Hockey Tennis’. As we got to late August, the guidelines opened up for game play with shooting, tackling and matches. This allowed the training to develop and it was great to see Minis aged 5 and 6 – all the way through to 11 and 12 year olds getting ready to play team matches. By the end of October there were regularly 40 players at Sunday Comets training. Hopefully this keeps growing – please tell your friends !
The next stage in player development is to start introducing matches against other clubs. Both the Girls Under 12 and Boys Under 12 players had the opportunity to participate in these during October. On each occasion, 2 Worthing teams played against Lewes on half size pitches with full size goals allowing for many to play matches for the first time and others a further opportunity to get match practice to prepare for matches with the Llamas and Wolves.
When the season restarts – there will be further match opportunities for both Boys and Girls Under 12 to test their skills against other clubs. To help with this both Under 12 Boys and Girls teams are now also training on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm (in addition to Sundays) to get ready for more competitive matches later in the season.
LLAMAS GIRLS DEVELOPMENT UNDER 16 – TUESDAYS / SATURDAYS
The Llamas have made huge progress this season, getting great feedback from both opposition coaches and home supporters alike. The highlight so far this season was a 3-1 win against South Downs Skylarks, in which an end to end game was won by 2 goals following penalty corners and 1 from open play – keeping the spectators well entertained with a high level of skill and teamwork. The Sussex Development League will restart after this current lockdown break.
WOLVES BOYS DEVELOPMENT UNDER 16 – WEDNESDAYS / SATURDAYS
The Wolves again have made enormous strides forward already this season which has been highlighted by reversing a 1-6 defeat by Brighton last season into a 1-0 win this season to take the team to joint top of the Sussex Boys Development League after the first round of matches – this league will also resume after the lockdown break.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY HOCKEY CAMPS – HALF TERM / EASTER / SUMMER
Since July we have managed to run 2 very different school holiday hockey camps. The first one in the summer holidays was spread over 5 days in hot weather and limited by social distancing guidelines. We had a total of 36 players aged between 6 and 14 years, divided into small groups of 6. With no matches allowed, Hockey Tennis, Hockey Rounders and skills based training took centre stage. By October, we were able to run camps with tackling and matches across 2 days of very mixed weather – sunshine on day 1 and pouring rain on day 2 – testing all 41 players and coaches alike ! Everyone left with smiling faces which is the main objective of all of the sessions.
There are plans to run further camps after lockdown in February Half Term 2021 (Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February) as well as in the Easter Holidays on Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th April 2021.
Please book the February camp online using the link : https://activ8.class4kids.co.uk/camp/57
NEW CLUB KIT – THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT !
There is still time to buy new shirts and Worthing Hockey Club kit in general before Christmas – please use this link https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/shop-by-team/hockey/worthing-hockey-club.html
All of the Gold ‘Kids’ Comets shirts (from £25) have the Under 12 Comets logo and all Mens / Ladies shirts (from £28), carry the main club logo suitable for Wolves / Llamas Under 16 teams. Personalization with your name and / or club number is also available at an additional cost.
If you would like a unique club shirt number please request via email : info@worthinghockey.co.uk to be allocated a number before ordering a club shirt as this will be required to complete any personalized orders.
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That’s all for now – hope you are all well, keeping safe and see you back on the pitch soon !!
Rex and the Juniors Coaching Team.
The latest ‘Return to Play’ information can be found online at: www.worthinghockey.co.uk or email us at : juniors@worthinghockey.co.uk. Follow us on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, #WeAreWHC