Last year we decided to enter a Development Team in the Yorkshire Hockey Development League South (our senior teams play in the Yorkshire Hockey Men’s Leagues every weekend). The Development League is for those younger players who are in the position of developing their hockey and this league helps the junior players adapt to 11 a side hockey on full pitches, instead of playing 7 a side on small pitches. There is an upward restriction of around Under 16.

Most weeks on a Saturday there are matches either at “home”, usually at Yarborough Sports Centre, or travelling “away” to other clubs’ grounds in South Yorkshire. Parents usually like to go along and watch, but we can arrange transport for any youngsters who need a lift.

Last Year’s Lincoln Hockey Club Development Team

The team is made up of predominantly youngsters with two, three or four adults allowed to play too in a type of “Badgers” Team. The adult players are meant to play to help the youngsters and not be too boisterous or physical in their play, and are not meant to hit the ball too hard or score .. though sometimes they forget! Generally speaking the youngsters are perfectly safe from being injured, but occasionally knocks can happen, as in the Junior games.

The Club would like all eligible players to be available for selection in this team, as often as you can play. It is mainly weekly but, obviously, we would not expect you to be available for every single game, although last year we did have a very consistent team and were extremely successful in winning the league.

Please look at the fixtures on the website for the Mens 4s. If there are any dates that you are not going to be available for then it would be helpful if you could let me know early. The “home” games times are shown and we meet about half an hour before the push back. “Away” games are generally not known about very far in advance, but I will let you know as soon as I hear.

Kit: We supply Royal Blue shirts to wear, but you will be required to wear White Shorts and Royal Blue/White Socks. If you do not have a pair of white shorts they are easy to buy at most sports shops. Socks we can supply from the Hockey Club container in the car park – see me at Junior Training (the cost is £5.00). You should travel to matches in Tracksuits and Hoodies so you stay warm and take rainproof wear with you too.

Development Team Training: this is on a Wednesday night at The Lindum from 6.00pm to about 7.30pm – please do your best to come along.

Any questions, I shall be at Junior Training next Saturday.

This a fun league to play in and you will benefit enormously from playing league hockey on a full pitch.

Selection for this Saturday’s match against Worksop (away) will follow. Let me know if you are not available for selection.

Tony Perrin
Youth Coach
Lincoln Hockey Club