Growing our Junior Only Club Membership Ealing Hockey Club

Our Journey – from September 2013 to September 2104 Ran 2 camps over Summer 2013 holidays Commenced Ealing HC with 35 junior in September 2013 Supported by St. Benedicts School with a 3g hybrid pitch and players Members also quick to join from: – St.Gregory’s (State) – Notting Hill (Private) – St.Vincent’s (State) – Derwent Water (State) – Sacred Heart (State) – Latymer (Private) Formed a formal structure for the Club as a Community Interest Company Played friendly matches with neighbouring clubs. September 2014 – start playing leagues.

How Did We Find Coaches? Biggest Challenge!! TotalHockey LLP is a coaching company run by the founders of EHC We supply coaches to a number of schools We give clear guidance on the syllabus to follow Be selective and say NO if not 100% happy that they will add value and follow the program Make sure they are better than the director of sport. – Surround yourself with the best Carry out full due diligence – DBS Safeguarding children – First Aid Ongoing CPD Prorgamme

How Did We Find Schools? Finding schools is easy – Getting them to take the time to take us seriously and that hockey will be delivered well and is a safe sport is difficult nigh on impossible! Our Coaching Company work with a number of motivated schools. – One school after 3 months of coaching them took them to Silver in the U11s London Cup. We are now receiving interest from a new school every month. Make the school look good by delivering high standard coaching in sport and life skills – One school has reported improved classroom focus after our coaching sessions. Provide a pathway into organised sport at club/JDC/JAC and beyond

What Delivery Did We Do? We have delivered 3 session of Sportivate. – however we have not been best pleased with the result. We have not undertaken Satellite funding – although we are contemplating this. We focus on high quality inclusive coaching ensuring 1:8 to 1:10 ratio of coaches and coaches assistants to juniors. All lead coaches are professional coaches and if parents are involved then they assist, but not the group where own children play. We communicate regularly with the local schools. – Win hearts and minds and be professional. Regular coaches meeting and meeting with parents.

How Did We Make It Sustainable? With 130 joiners since September 2013 we are still on the journey to sustainability Ensure the club never became cliquey It is not about the founders it is about the players Always have a 10 year plan, 5 years comes to early Being a junior club Do the simple well and often and communicate It is more than hockey – we deliver life skills Remember – it is about grass roots sports Keep it fun, competitive and inclusive

Our Key Success Factors Great professional coaches: – Being inclusive and meaning it – Ensuring drills are fun and differentiated to skills, ability and maturity of the juniors – Teach the player to become self motivated – Teach them to be confident – Teach them to ask questions and seek answers – Never over repeat the same drill but vary the drills to deliver the same outcome to prevent boredom. – Core skills Solid first touch Comfort on the ball Everything at pace developing explosive speed and change of direction Great volunteers – Sharing the vision Ensure parents buy into the long term vision Strong links to schools Get the player young – Keep them active Give the children self-worth – Pride in the club colours – Family values at the core of the club – Grass roots and never forget it