Somerset Hockey Association

Welcome to Somerset Hockey Association’s Website where we aim to provide a broad range of information for what is going on in the County for Hockey. We run school, junior and senior club county hockey competitions each season both outdoor and indoor all schools and clubs who affiliate to the Association.

County level is where junior players begin their journey on the England Hockey Player Pathway through our Development and Academy Centres. Looking for coaching courses, umpire courses or hockey camps then check the relevant pages.

SHA aims to increase participation of hockey through the county at both junior and senior level. This could be through the provision of courses, school club links, club forums, inter club junior tournaments, hockey festivals etc.

Please feel free to contact any of the committee for further information.

29th May 2020 – England Hockey Update

Roadmap to Return to Play

When England Hockey took the decision to suspend hockey on 17 March, it was clear that exactly when and how the sport would be able to return would take time to resolve. Until recently the focus has rightly been on the hockey family, demonstrating its collective spirit through support for charities, key workers in clubs and looking out for our local communities or other club members as well as engaging within the hockey community and beyond on social media. The focus has not been on returning to hockey until the last week.

With so much uncertainty the aim has been to make decisions on key issues at the right times. Getting the timing right on this has been particularly tricky and will continue to present challenges over the coming months. The aim of this message is to share what we believe the probable steps are likely to be, and in headline terms, the possible implications for the 2020-21 season.

The considerations set out here are all dependent on the ongoing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic and relevant government guidance. We would encourage our players, clubs and associations to interpret these as a guide and support & align to the work that will need to be done if plans change. At this stage it is not possible to make definitive plans.

What will be allowed?

The government alert levels announced on 10 and 13 May – and England Hockey’s subsequent response – set out the first clear steps to emerging from lockdown. These alert levels will not relate directly to hockey activity and having reviewed the information from other countries and other sports we have set out five steps to returning to ‘normal’. Three relate to training, and two relate to match play activities. These are as follows:

21st May 2020 – England Hockey Update

England Hockey will continue to follow both government and Public Health England advice. Timings of any changes to the circumstances for hockey will always be led by government advice during the Covid-19 restrictions. Whilst these are the first steps for returning to play, we would encourage everyone to firstly consider the health of themselves and others.

The updated government advice means it is now possible to undertake the following activity. England Hockey strongly recommends that all involved in any activity follow the guidance beneath.

Outdoor hockey pitches can now be opened as long as the government guidelines are followed.

The following ways to play hockey are now available on outdoor pitches:

– Hockey played by two players (each from different households) under social distancing guidelines.

– One-to-one sessions involving a coach and a player from different households under social distancing guidelines.

–  Hockey played between a household group (where social distancing is not required)

Whether coached or uncoached these sessions must be covered by suitable insurance – participants and coaches should ensure they have suitable arrangements in place before participating.

This means that some one-to-one coaching activity can resume but the participants, coach and the facility must follow the respective government and England Hockey guidance.

We encourage the fantastic ‘hockey at home’ initiatives that we have seen throughout the last two months to continue (examples here)

Please be aware that this guidance may change as the circumstances change. In particular, we are still seeking clarification from government on arrangements for one-to-one coaching of young people given the need for a parent/guardian to be present. There are different interpretations across NGBs on this issue at the moment and therefore we may have to update on this once a decision is made.

Click here to access the full information on the England Hockey Website

SOMERSET HOCKEY ASSOCIATION AGM ADJOURNED UNTIL THE 7TH SEPTEMBER 2020 – TBC

Please click here to read the officers reports and see the nominated committee officers for next season.

The following committee role needs to be filled at the AGM.
Chairman
SHA Chairman Role Description