JUNIORS: INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Welcome to our juniors page of the Footscray Hockey Club. Here you will find information about training times, age group programs and other general club information.
In 2024 Winter Season will see Footscray Hockey Club fielding 20+ junior teams in competitions conducted by Hockey Victoria. Teams span across U8 Hockey 5s, U10 Hockey 5s, Under12, Under 14, Under16 and Under18 – Shield, Pennant and District teams. We also run an U6 Hookin2Hockey Program,
Click here to view the 2024 Information Pack.
Click here to view the 2024 Juniors Calendar.
Please join our FHC Juniors Facebook group – Footscray HC Juniors
KEY CONTACTS
Junior Director: Cindy Blay, 0481 013 604, juniors@footscrayhockey.com.au
COORDINATOR CONTACTS
Come n Try come-and-try@footscrayhockey.com.au
U6’s under6@footscrayhockey.com.au
U8’s under8@footscrayhockey.com.au
U10’s under10@footscrayhockey.com.au
U12’s – U18’s juniors@footsrayhockey.com.au
Indoor & Umpiring indoor@footscrayhockey.com.au
CLUB CULTURE
We take creating a positive and encouraging culture seriously. We have a Hockey Safe Officer. A Hockey Safe Officer is responsible for providing information about a person’s rights, responsibilities and options to an individual making a complaint or raising a concern, including child safe standards. They can also provide information and advice to sport administrators and complaint handlers with regard to the Member Protection Policy of that sport. Hockey Safe Officers are generally impartial; they do not mediate or investigate complaints.
https://footscrayhockey.com.au/members-info/ under MEMBER PROTECTION
This year, we will be rewarding teams (the players, officials and supporters) that create positive environments.
Want to know more about positive encouragement in junior sport? Have a look at this site: https://www.facebook.com/playbytherules/
JUNIOR UNIFORM
- U18/16/14/12 and U10 FHC Uniform
- U8 Red T-Shirt
- U6 Blue T-Shirt
STARTER EQUIPMENT (Available at FHC’s ‘Hockey HQ’ shop)
Perfect starter Combos for Under 6, 8, 10 is available at our Hockey HQ Shop.
UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT
This season we hope to really move ahead with our development of umpires (children and adults) for our junior section. All umpires will be receiving a Fox 40 whistle, rule book, warning cards, score book and pen from the Club, and we will have mentors attending games to give advice and support.
Umpiring is a fantastic skill to develop, and we encourage all players and parents to consider “giving it a go”. We’ll get you well trained and moving along the path towards formal qualifications. Please contact Mel Sanders if you are interested at indoor@footscrayhokcey.com.au
TEAMS & TRAINING 2024
The Winter Competition is from May until September.
Hockey Victoria have expanded their U8 winter offerings in 2024. There will be an U8 Hockey 5’s ⅛ Field Competition every Saturday morning at FHC.
Hockey Victoria have changed the U10 competition in 2024. There will be an U10 Hockey 5’s ¼ Field Competition every Saturday morning at FHC.
Winter competition (U12 through to U18) is a traditional 14 round home and away winter competition running in Term 2 and 3. Match locations for Hockey Vic competitions vary depending on the grade played, and usually alternate between home and away fixtures.
Games are either Friday nights (Under 14s, Under 16s and Under 18s) or Saturday mornings (Under 12), with fixtures organised by HV- both home and away.
Hockey Vic will release the game competition schedule closer to the season and your age group coordinator or team manager will share these with you.
AGE
GROUPS
2024
U6 (2018 or later)
U8 (2017 & ’16)
U10 (2015 & ’14)
U12 Girls & Boys
(2013 & ’12)
U14 Girls & Boys
(2011 & ’10)
U16 Girls & Boys
(2009 & ’08)
U18
(2007 & ’06)
TRAINING
COMMENCES
2024
U6 Wed 13th Mar
U8 Wed 13th Mar
U10 Wed 13th Mar
U12 Girls Tue 5th Mar
U12 Boys Thurs 7th Mar
U14 Girls Tue 5th Mar
U14 Boys Thurs 7th Mar
U16 Girls Tue 5th Mar
U16 Boys Thu 7th Mar
U18 Mon 4th Mar
TRIAL
DATES
2024
U6 N/A
U8 N/A
U10 N/A
U12 Girls & Boys,
U14 Girls & Boys,
U16 Girls & Boys
Weeks of 12-21 March
during training time
U18 N/A
FIRST
GAME
2024
U6 N/A
U8 27th April
U10 27th April
U12 Girls & Boys
Sat 4th May
U14 Girls & Boys
Fri 3rd May
U16 Girls & Boys
Fri 3rd May
U18
Fri 3rd May
TRAINING TIMES 2024
| TRAINING DAY | Pitch 1 (ASF) |
Pitch 2 (BSF) |
Cage |
|
Mondays |
5.30-6.45 pm Under 18’s |
5.30-6.45 pm
|
5.30-6.15 pm |
| Tuesdays |
5.30-6.45 pm Girls Under 14 |
5.30-6.45 pm Girls Under 12 |
5.30-6.45 pm GK |
| Wednesdays |
5.30-6.30 pm Under 8’s |
5.30-6.30 pm Under 10’s |
5.15-6.00 pm Under 6’s |
| Thursday |
5.30-6.45 pm Boys Under 14 |
5.30-6.45 pm Boys Under 12 |
5.30-6.30 pm GK |
TRY HOCKEY 2024
Interested junior members are welcome to Come n Try at any stage of the year!
The Come n Try sessions are for BRAND NEW players to the game of hockey. They are NOT for existing FHC members.
Age Group: 4 year olds to 12 year olds
Dates: Wed 21 & 28 Feb, 6 Mar
Times:
U6 & U8 5.15 – 6.00
U10 & U12 6.00 – 6.15
Cost: FREE
Uniform: Comfortable runners, shorts, t-shirt
Coordinator: Nicole Virtuoso 0424 132 715
come-and-try@footscrayhockey.com.au
Head Coaches: Nicole Virtuoso
No need to register – Just turn up!
Program The Come n Try sessions are aimed at helping children learn how to: select hockey equipment, hold a stick and dribble the ball, score goals, and learn positions on the field as well as individual skills.
Rule of thumb for stick selection – the stick should come up to the player’s navel!
How can you help? Help promote the Come n Try! Come n Try sessions require at least 15 coaches/helpers on the pitch and at least 10 helpers at the welcome table/stick fitting. If you are available to help at one, all or any of the sessions please contact Come n Try Coordinator Nicole Virtuoso 0424 132 715
come-n-try@footscrayhockey.com.au
SUMMER HOCKEY
Term 4 Summer Hockey for U8, U10 and U12 will be held for 6 weeks.
U12, U14, U16 and U18 can competion Term 4 Summer Indoor competitions.
U6’s HOOKIN2HOCKEY 2024
The Winter program is from May until August.
Program: Our U6 program is a modified form of hockey emphasising the learning of basic skills such as holding the stick, pushing the ball, trapping (stopping) the ball, dribbling. It is a relatively non-competitive environment with participation and enjoyment are our key drivers.
Age Group Born 2018 or later
Training Wednesday 5.15 – 6.00PM
Training & Activities 13th March 2024
Uniform Blue Tshirt
Fees & Registration
U6 Coordinator under6@footscrayhockey.com.au
Head Coach Julie-Anne Sheehan 0405 061 535
How can you help? We require Assistant coaches / helpers on the pitch with Julie-Anne (JA), no coaching experience necessary. We require administration helpers. Please contact under6@footscrayhockey.com.au if you’d be interested in helping.
U8’s HV Hockey 5’s 2024
The winter competition is from May until September
Program: Newly introduced Hockey Vic initiative in 2024 is to offer a competitive Hockey 5’s games played on a 1/8 field at FHC.
Age Group Born 2017 & 2016
Training Wed 5.30 – 6.30PM
Training & Activities Commences Wed13th March
Uniform Red Tshirt
Games 9am Saturday FHC. Games starting from 27th April
Fees & Registration
U8 Coordinator under8@footscrayhockey.com.au
Head Coach Phil McAlinden
How can you help? We require between 8-10 teams worth of coaches (and co-coaches) on the pitch with head coach, no coaching experience necessary. We require 8 helpers for jobs during training. Please contact under8@footscrayhockey.com.au if you’d be interested in helping.
U10’s HV Hockey 5’s Competition 2024
The Winter Competition is from May until September.
Program: Hockey Victoria have changed the U10 competition in 2024. There will be an U10 Hockey 5’s ¼ Field Competition. Wednesday night training sessions and a game on Saturday morning. Children are exposed to extended skill development and ‘game awareness’ of positioning, space, working together, defense, midfield and attack.
Age Group Born 2015 & 2014
Training Wed 5.30 – 6.30
Training Commences Wed 13th Mar
Games 10am Saturday FHC. Games starting from 27th April
Fees & Registration
Uniform U10’s HV team wear the FHC uniform available at our Hockey HQ Shop – footscrayhc.square.site
U10 Coordinator under10@footscrayhockey.com.au
Head Coach Mark Wiseman
Program: A hockey 5’s format competition that will play against other club’s on a Saturday morning at FHC. Wednesday night training sessions and a game on Saturday morning. Children are exposed to extended skill development and ‘game awareness’ of positioning, space, working together, defense, midfield and attack.
How can you help? We require coaches (and co-coaches). We require team managers for each team and administration helpers. Please contact under10@footscrayhokcey.com.au if you’d be interested in helping.
U12’s 2023
WELCOME TO U12’S HOCKEY
The Winter Competition is from May until September.
AGE GROUP Born 2013 & 2012
TRAINING & GAMES:
Girls Teams Tuesday 5.30 pm – 6.45pm commencing Tue 5th March
Boys Teams Thursday 5.30 pm – 6.45pm commencing Thur 7th March
Games are Saturday morning as fixtured by Hockey Victoria commencing Sat 4th May
TEAM TRIALS
Team trials will be the weeks of 11 – 21 March 2024 during training times. Whilst not all children want to play in a Shield team, the sessions are run as a training session and no one is singled out. Team selection is sent out to each team member separately, not as a group email. Questions relating to selection are to be directed to the Junior Director in the first instance. There will also be some practice matches immediately following the holidays in the lead up to Round 1.
CONTACT: juniors@footscrayhockey.com.au
PROGRAM This competition is played on a full field with 10 field players and 1 goal-keeper. If your child is interested in playing as goalkeeper, the club provides equipment as well as specific GK training. If your child is playing full-field for the first time there are handy resources below to assist with skills & positions.
Uniform Team wear the FHC uniform available at our Hockey HQ Shop – footscrayhc.square.site
TEAMS
U12 Boys Shield
U12 Boys Pennant North West
U12 Girls Shield
U12 Girls Pennant North West
U14’s 2024
WELCOME TO U14’S HOCKEY
The Winter Competition is from May until September.
AGE GROUP Born 2011 & 2010
TRAINING & GAMES:
Girls Teams Tuesday 5.30 pm – 6.45pm commencing Tue 5th March
Boys Teams Thursday 5.30 pm – 6.45pm commencing Thur 7th March
Games are Saturday morning as fixtured by Hockey Victoria commencing Friday 3rd May 2024
TEAM TRIALS
Team trials will be the weeks of 11 – 21 March 2024 during training times. Whilst not all children want to play in a Shield team, the sessions are run as a training session and no one is singled out. Team selection is sent out to each team member separately, not as a group email. Questions relating to selection are to be directed to the Junior Director in the first instance. There will also be some practice matches immediately following the holidays in the lead up to Round 1.
CONTACT: juniors@footscrayhockey.com.au
PROGRAM Playing hockey at Under 14 level offers players an opportunity to develop their skills in night games lights on a Friday night. At FHC we try to get the players moving, learning the skills and playing and competing build strong foundations of movement skills and assist with social interaction. Not only will they develop their hockey skills they will also be able to make friends, be active, learn about the game and important skills – like leadership, decision making and team work. New players can learn the basic skills in the district competition while the more experienced players will be looking to develop their skills in preparation of moving into open age competition.
Uniform Team wear the FHC uniform available at our Hockey HQ Shop – footscrayhc.square.site
TEAMS
Under 14 Boys Shield
Under 14 Boys Pennant NW
Under 14 Girls Shield
Under 14 Girls Pennant NW
U16’s 2024
WELCOME TO U16’S HOCKEY
The Winter Competition is from May until September.
AGE GROUP Born 2009 & 2008
TRAINING & GAMES:
Girls Teams Tuesday 5.30 pm – 6.45pm commencing Tue 5th March
Boys Teams Thursday 5.30 pm – 6.45pm commencing Thur 7th March
Games are Saturday morning as fixtured by Hockey Victoria commencing Friday 3rd May 2024
TEAM TRIALS
Team trials will be the weeks 11- 21 March 2024 during training times. Whilst not all children want to play in a Shield team, the sessions are run as a training session and no one is singled out. Team selection is sent out to each team member separately, not as a group email. Questions relating to selection are to be directed to the Junior Director in the first instance. There will also be some practice matches immediately following the holidays in the lead up to Round 1.
CONTACT: juniors@footscrayhockey.com.au
PROGRAM
Playing hockey at Under 16 level offers players an opportunity to develop their skills in night games lights on a Friday night. At FHC we try to get the players moving, learning the skills and playing and competing build strong foundations of movement skills and assist with social interaction. Not only will they develop their hockey skills they will also be able to make friends, be active, learn about the game and important skills – like leadership, decision making and team work. New players can learn the basic skills in the district competition while the more experienced players will be looking to develop their skills in preparation of moving into open age competition.
Uniform Teams wear the FHC uniform available at our Hockey HQ Shop – footscrayhc.square.site
TEAMS
Under 16 Boys Shield
Under 16 Boys Pennant
Under 16 Girls Shield
Under 16 Girls Pennant
U18’s 2024
WELCOME TO U18’S HOCKEY
The Winter Competition is from May until September.
AGE GROUP Born 2007 & 2006
TRAINING & GAMES:
Monday 5.30-6.45pm commencing 4th March
Games are Friday evenings morning as fixtured by Hockey Victoria commencing 5th May 2022.
There will also be some practice matches in the lead up to Round 1.
CONTACT: juniors@footscrayhockey.com.au
Uniform Team wears the FHC uniform available at our Hockey HQ Shop – footscrayhc.square.site
TEAMS
Under 18 Mixed District North West
WILDCATS, SSV & STATE INFORMATION
WESTERN METRO WILDCATS (competes in the Junior State Championships)
This is a local region rep team forming a team of player from the following 5 clubs (FHC, ALT, WER, GEL, MEL), and is a great experience for those kids wishing to take their hockey a bit further. The Junior State Championships will be held in the first week of the July school holidays. If your child wishes to trial to play in the U13, U15 or U18 Western Wildcats, please contact the junior director.
SCHOOL SPORTS VICTORIA (SSV) U12 & U16 Hockey Team
School Sport Victoria work with a large majority of Primary and Secondary Schools with their sporting programs. In hockey there are opportunities for U12’s and U16’s to try out for the respective SSV teams. For more information about nominating your child for the SSV team, go to the SSV web-site to nominate. Before nominating, make sure your child’s school is one that participates in the SSV program, and you are eligible to nominate them.
VICTORIAN STATE HOCKEY TEAMS
The highest level of representation at this age is to play for Victoria under the banner of Hockey Victoria. Teams are U13’s, U15’s, U18’s, U21’s, Victorian Vipers, Victorian Vikings.
