SEFTON HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT GROUP

SEFTON HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT GROUP is an independent committee represented by a number of hockey clubs, (Northern Hockey Club, Southport and Birkdale Hockey Club and Formby Hockey Club) and individuals from Secondary and Primary Schools in the Sefton Area.

The main aim of the group is to promote hockey within the local community, offering children the chance to participate in the sport for perhaps the first time.

Last year, Sefton Hockey Development Group with the assistance of Sefton Leisure Services department wrote to all ninety Primary Schools in the Sefton area, offering a free Hockey Taster Session to be carried out in the school for pupils in Year 6. There was a fantastic response with 47 Primary Schools asking for the coaching session. Qualified coaches then went with all the equipment supplied with the aid of an Awards For all grant and carried out the sessions.

After the session the children were offered a free five week coaching course being held at 4 available venues – Northern Hockey Club, Formby Hockey Club, Southport Hockey Club and Maghull High School.

Then followed a junior tournament in December with over 100 kids attending.

The children continued to attend the clubs junior coaching sessions and this Sunday sees the follow up Elite Clubs Junior Tournament. This gives the school children chance to prove how they have developed their skills at hockey and the chance to compete against the other clubs.

This is to take place at Northern Hockey Club at 10.30am till 1.15pm.

Due to the excellent success of the Sefton Hockey Group, they have just been awarded another Lottery Awards For All grant of nearly £5000. This will allow them to carry out the same Taster Sessions exercise in Sefton Primary Schools( already 45 have responded), carry out new Taster sessions in Secondary Schools and to set up a Under 13 Boys league and a Under 13 Girls league.

These incredible achievements are due to the enthusiasm of the volunteers who make up Sefton Hockey, Martin Sarbutts of Sefton Leisure Services and aid from the hockey development officer at Merseyside Sports.