Youth Team
Youth
Whitchurch Hockey Club welcomes young players from the age of 6. Our philosophy is that every player is important, every player should have the opportunity to play youth matches, and all our hockey is underpinned by a code of conduct based on the word “RESPECT” – Respect your team-mates, your opponents, your coaches, the umpires and officials. We also expect parents & guardians to follow the code of conduct.
We currently run 29 youth teams, we have approximately 325 boys & girls aged 6 to 18.
Depending on numbers in each age group, membership is open to any young player wishing to join. This can be done by contacting Chris Després (c.despres@sky.com) or by using this email address: youth@whitchurch-hc.com . Please take note of the Youth Admission Policy when making enquiries.
YOUTH TRAINING TIMES
Training starts week beginning 8th September 2025, full training schedule as below;
Under 8 Boys & Girls 17.00-18.00 at Whitchurch High School on Thursdays
Under 10 Boys & Girls 17.00-18.00 at Whitchurch High School on Thursdays
Under 11/12 Boys 17.00-18.00 at Whitchurch High School on Tuesdays
Under 11/12 Girls 17.00-18.30 at Welsh Institute of Sport (Sophia Gardens) on Tuesdays
Under 13 Girls 17.00-18.00 at Whitchurch High School on Wednesdays
Under 14 Girls 18.00-19.00 at Whitchurch High School on Wednesdays
Under 13/14 Boys 18.00-19.00 at Whitchurch High School on Tuesdays
Under 15/16 Boys 19.00-21.00 at Whitchurch High School on Tuesdays
Under 15/16 Girls 17.00-18.00/18.00-19.00 at Welsh Institute of Sport (Sophia Gardens) on Mondays
* split to be confirmed by Lead Coach
Please note there will no Youth Hockey sessions:
– during October Half Term (week beginning 27th October 2025)
– during February Half Term (week beginning 16th February 2026)
– last session before Xmas break is week beginning 8th December 2025
– 1st session back after Xmas break is 5th January 2026
– last sessions of 25/26 Season will be week beginning 23rd March 2026
LEAD COACHES
Under 8 Boys & Girls : Elen Diggins
Under 10 Boys & Girls : Noelle Cramp
Under 11/12 Boys : Phil Graham
Under 11/12 Girls : Chris Després
Under 13 Girls : Sarah Rawle
Under 13/14 Boys : Wayne Robson
Under 14 Girls : Clare Williams
Under 15/16 Boys : Jon Watts
Under 15/16 Girls : Neil Potter/Huw Rogers
COMMUNICATION
Whitchurch Hockey Club uses SPOND to communicate with its members. The youth section is called “WHC Youth Hockey 2025-6”. When our club administrators include children’s membership information on spond, an email will be sent to the parent/s asking them to accept membership of spond. When this has been done, messages about training sessions, matches and other relevant events will be sent out to all members’ parents. Parents are expected to respond to all messages regarding training and matches.
FIXTURES AND MATCHES
All main details of youth fixtures are available via Spond (WHC Youth Hockey 2025-6). All players will be invited to play matches for their age group but Lead Coaches will select which players will play in which teams as the dates approach. Parents need to reply to invitations on Spond concerning their child’s availability for matches.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Youth subscriptions should be paid by September 30th. Here are the rates
£115 per season for 5-16 year olds. 2nd child in the family £75. 3rd and other children £55 each
All subscriptions must be paid by bank transfer to the Club’s account: 01655572; sort code 30-98-94
£80 for girls over 16 years of age (i.e. those in school years 12 and 13) and female students. Please pay by bank transfer. Account number 39059668. Sort Code 30-98-94.
£80 for boys over 16 years of age (i.e. in school years 12 and 13) and male students. Please pay by bank transfer. Account number 01628486. Sort Code 30-98-94.
If parents wish to discuss an alternative payment plan, they should contact Chris Després.
Youth players who join later in the season will be offered discounted membership rates
For youth members, it is the responsibility of the Parent to pay the Hockey Wales Affiliation Fee direct to Hockey Wales via the Sport80 portal.
YOUTH DRESS CODE
Parents should ensure that their children dress appropriately when attending hockey training or matches. Base layers (Arms & Leggings) are recommended in the cold/inclement weather. Jackets (preferably waterproof) are required for wet/cold weather.
All girls should be encouraged to wear skorts. Mouth-guards & hockey shin-pads are essential protective wear & MUST be worn; it is also advised that young players should wear a hockey glove. It would be expected that all players will purchase club kit.
FULL WHC KIT
YC Sports on Crwys Road is the appointed kit supplier for WHC for 2025-26 season. Full information on YC Sports & their hockey range available can be found on the YC Sports website. When you are on the website, you select “others” from the range of sports and then type in Whitchurch Hockey Club in the search bar. Youth players do NOT need to purchase AWAY kit – this is just for seniors. If you wish to visit YC sports, the shop has samples of kit that can be tried on and a player’s initials can be added on the shirt. If girls wish to choose a pair of shorts rather than skorts, they will have to choose the shorts from the boys section.
Members will get up to 20% discount on hockey sticks, equipment and shoes on production of WRSSC membership card in store
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Judith Livesey directly who oversees kit issues for the club. saintsselection@whitchurch-hc.com
NEED HELP?
-Coaching queries – the lead coach
-Payment or membership questions – Chris Després
You should all be aware that our Youth Safeguarding Officer is TBA.
Any issues that you have concerning your child’s welfare at WHC should be raised, contact details as below:
safeguarding@whitchurch-hc.com
All other Youth hockey queries should be addressed to Chris Després; please see contact details below.
Email: c.despres@sky.com
Mobile: 07906-324943
YOUTH ADMISSIONS POLICY
Applications to become a youth member of Whitchurch Hockey Club should be made by emailing the club administration – youth@whitchurch-hc.com – or the Director of Youth Hockey, Chris Despres – c.despres@sky.com . This application should contain the following: the young person’me and date of birth, the parental contact details (email address and mobile number) and child’s school. Applicants will then be sent an admission form so that the relevant information can be stored on our main club youth database. This will apply to young players who are Under 16 in that season. Players of 16-18 years of age (i.e. School years 12 and 13) should apply to the Chairperson of Selectors.
For girls, please email saintsselection@whitchurch-hc.com
For boys, please email doh@whitchurch-hc.com Club’s policy for dealing with applications for membership
Once an application has been received, the Director of Youth Hockey will liaise with the lead coach of the age group of the new player concerned. If there any vacancies a place will be offered to the new applicant.
If the maximum capacity is reached within an age/gender group, then a “Waiting List” will be created. When spaces for membership become available, priority will be given to those who applied earliest and especially to those who have replied to club emails about membership by expressing their interest still to be considered as members. Reviews of Membership
Complete reviews of youth membership will occur once a year in July/August. Members wishing to discontinue will have their places offered to those on the “Waiting List”. Applications for membership will lapse in September of each year and if an applicant still wishes to join, a fresh application should be made to the Club Administrator. The club reserves the right to admit a new member under exceptional circumstances. For example, a player of proven ability at representative level, an applicant with a close family connection to the club; an application supported by the offer of substantial parental help (eg Coaching) Whitchurch’s youth section runs the following age/gender groups
| Under 8 Mixed | Under 14 Boys |
| Under 10 Mixed | Under 14 Girls |
| Under 12 Boys | Under 15 Girls |
| Under 12 Girls | Under 16 Boys |
| Under 13 Girls | Under 16 Girls |
Updated July 30th 2025