Season dates:
13th September - 13th December
Half Term : 25th October
10th January - 28th March (28 March intended to be end of season event)
Half Term : 14th February

Training sessions
**Sunday**
College Meadow
Mixed u6 9-10am
Mixed u8 9-10am
Boys u10 9-10.30
Boys u12 10.30-12
Girls u12 12-1.30

Colfe's School
Girls u10 9-10.30
Girls u14 10.30-12 (ALL u14 Girls at this session for Week 1 please)
Girsl u14 12-1.30 (This session not used for Week 1)

Avery Hill Campus
Girls u16 10.30-12

**Wednesday**
College Meadow
Boys u16 6-7.30pm

**Thursday**
College Meadow
Boys u14 6-7.30

Coaching
We have now confirmed coaching times and venues as above. The gradual move to evening training sessions for older groups has been an ambition for some time. It is a common model among larger and more successful clubs. As we gathered in new season registrations it was clear that the numbers we now have have made this an immediate necessity in order to avoid very late afternoon Sunday training which was unpopular with both players and coaches.

Weekday evening training also means more pitch time across the season, since matches are in addition, rather than instead of training. The other very significant advantage of evening training sessions is that it is easier to access good quality lead coaches at this time, since they are often also involved in playing or coaching at higher level adult hockey at the weekend and therefore not available to coach juniors on a Sunday. This season u14 boys lead coach will be Calum Mitchell, who will also be the mens club coach for this season. Calum Giles our junior director of coaching will initially lead u16 boys until our intended long-term coach is recovered from injury!

For all the advantages evening training will bring we recognise that it will be disruptive for some, especially with the relatively short notice we have been able to give. Apologies for this. It may even be the case that some players are unable to manage this slot due to clashing commitments. Please contact me on the WhatsApp groups individually if you want to discuss this further. Clearly we regret any players unable to continue due to this change, but continuing with a Sunday only coaching model was simply unsustainable as well as holding back the further development of our coaching offer.

We are also actively exploring weekday evening training sessions (leaving Sundays free for matches) for the older girls groups (U14 & U16). We expect this to be a little more complicated for the girls groups and will be surveying parents in the first part of the season to collate views.

Another cultural change we are keen to make is to encourage more regular attendance of players at training. We intend to have tighter group sizes this season to improve coach:player ratios; to get the best out of smaller groups, commitment to training sessions will be vital. Variation in attendance numbers is disruptive to delivery. The club is over-subscribed - we will be discussing attendance with those whose commitment is unclear. Further communication will follow both on how training sessions will be organised and a new code of conduct aimed at developing the culture we need to support the club's progress.

Registration
Registration for existing members is now closed. There are a very small number of spaces available in some groups. Please email Sophie Jones our Junior Secretary with any requests. juniors@blackheath.co.uk

2019-2020 Season awards
We will present awards at the first training session of the season so that winners get their trophies in front of their year groups. Separate arrangements have been made for last years U16/Y11 groups

Covid
England Hockey have recently announced the intention to move to stage 5 from late September, which means that in addition to pretty much normal training we can play local junior leagues with the right measures in place. The Junior Management Team will be working through the requirements and communicating in detail in due course.
There will be some additional administration to support return to hockey. An England Hockey consent form is one element (details to follow), while registers will perform an additional function of enabling Track and Trace while this remains in place.
After stage 5 we return to normal arrangements. We don't have a date yet for this. Obviously other scenarios are possible depending on the Covid situation and we will follow England Hockey guidance if this becomes necessary.up who have moved on from the junior section.

Volunteering to help with coaching and umpiring
As ever, the ongoing development of the club relies on the commitment of volunteers. [u]If you are interested in coaching, whether you have previous experience or not, please get in touch[/u]. There are plenty of development opportunities. In return for your regular commitment to the coaching team your children will attend free of charge.
If you are able to help out with umpiring (very simple at younger age groups) this also makes a big difference - and it guarantees you a front row seat for all games!

College meadow developments
This season sees a welcome return to the College Meadow clubhouse. The extra space will be of great benefit for our social events (once these can restart). We still hope to get a second pitch built on the Eltham College site, which will then mean that all junior teams can access the club house when training or on match days.

Development Centre (DC) information
The local England Hockey development centres currently provide the first step outside club hockey towards county, regional and national pathway. They are currently open for registration. Those who have attended previously will likely have had contact from them already.

Niall Couper and Sam Djavit leaving the BEHC juniors team
Niall Couper, who has been the junior Co-Chair with me as well as the Girls’ section lead, has decided to step down. Niall has made a huge contribution during his tenure, particularly in kick starting the social and fundraising side of the junior section. A big thank you from all of us & we will see you on the side of the pitch in the coming season!

It is also with great sadness that we say goodbye (or at least au revoir) to Sam Djavit for the 2020-2021 season. Sam is a Blackheath legend, having spent a large part of his life at the club. Most recently many of you will have met him as one of our head coaches. Sam has an opportunity to coach a National League team this season, which was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down. We wish him all the best (apart from when he’s playing against BEHC!). Sam sent the following message:

Hello everyone,

You may of heard already but I won't be coaching the mighty BEHC juniors next season.

I've taken a job, to take my adult coaching up to national league level and it won't be possible to commit to juniors as well.

It's been amazing to coach the juniors over the last 6 years. We've created a wonderful inclusive club that serves the needs of players that want to have fun and players that want to star on the international stage. It's in great shape and only looking up!

The club has been huge part of my life for 31 years and counting. I'll still be around and I'm sure I'll see you junior triangulars and matches.

All the best
Sam

Best wishes,

Fenno Outen, Junior Chair, and the BEHC Junior Management Team

Enjoy your hockey in 2020-21!