BOWDON HOCKEY NEW JUNIOR MEMBERS FAQ
What do I need to do to join?
- Register on our ‘Club Buzz’ portal via the Bowdon Hockey website by clicking here. If we have space for you in the relevant section, your application will be accepted.
- Once you receive the email confirming you have been registered, please login and add required medical and contact details.
- You also need to join the Bowdon Club as a sports club member by clicking here. The Hockey section is part of the wider Bowdon Club and your membership of the overall Club is required for insurance purposes.
What if there is no space for my age group?
Your name will be kept on a waiting list and we will contact you when a space comes up.
What are the different fees and why can’t I pay all in one?
Bowdon operates as a multi-sports club, with hockey being just one of the sports. The Bowdon Club has to manage its facilities (including the pitch and floodlights), bar, insurance and general upkeep– which is what your Club membership fee contributes to.
The Hockey section fees cover hockey coach salaries, training, entry to tournaments and leagues and equipment such as goals, balls, bibs and GK equipment.
Match fees are also levied each time you play a match, which cover pitch hire, umpire and coach fees and after match teas.
Where are our home pitches?
Our main pitch is the ‘wet pitch’ located adjacent to the Bowdon Clubhouse. We also have use of the pitches at Altrincham Boys Grammar School on Marlborough Road and Altrincham Girls Grammar School off Green Walk. All pitches are within a 10 minute walk of the club. You can find out more about our home pitches here. They are booked via the Bowdon Club office by emailing [email protected] and weekend match schedules are co-ordinated by our Fixtures Lead, Howard Bray.
How can I buy the kit?
Our kit is supplied by the Y1 hockey brand and is sold from the shop beside our home ‘wet pitch’. Keep an eye on @y1Bowdon on Instagram for kit updates and shop opening times or email [email protected]
We also have Preloved Kit which is managed by Sarah Herward – this is mostly junior sized. The aim is to have regular sales at the Club – keep an eye on our social media or contact Sarah on 07870 999639 if you are looking for something specific.
Is there just one kit or do you have a home and away?
You can find out more about our kit in the Club Shop, adjacent to the wet pitch. Black/red tops and black socks is our home kit and white tops and red socks are our away kit.
Do I have to get allocated a shirt number?
Numbers are only required by individuals playing in adult teams or in age group England Hockey tournaments. These can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
How do I know what size hockey stick to buy?
Feel free to ask for advice from your coach or in the shop. As a guide, most players age 12 or over use a full sized stick.
When is the shop open?
Opening times are variable depending on what fixtures are on but it is usually open most days during the season. Keep an eye on @y1Bowdon on Instagram for opening times or email [email protected].
When is training?
You can find out the time of your training by checking out the website or if unsure, please email
Who is my lead coach?
The overall lead coach is Connor Jameson. He leads training planning and gives direction to the other session coaches. Each training session is led by a professional coach and may also have volunteer coaches supporting. You will have a regular coach at your training session, although they may not coach your team at weekends. We depend on parent volunteer coaches to coach teams at weekends.
What are the different Junior classifications / teams?
We welcome Juniors from age 5 – 18, subject to space.
Our primary age players are in the ‘Minis’ from Reception to Year 3 and the ‘Bowdon Bears’ include all Year 4-6. All fixtures for primary age are 7 a side teams on half sized pitches.
When players move into Year 7, they start to play in Saturday fixtures in 11-a-side ‘Beavers’ teams – these are mixed gender and often mixed year 7/8. They then progress to ‘Badgers from Year 8-9. From age 13 / Year 9, players start to transition into adult hockey.
We also have gender split age group teams for U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 so individuals can continue to play with their peers even if split across different Saturday teams.
How can I find out which team I’ll be in?
Decisions about team allocation are made based on several factors – not just playing ability. We also consider how we can keep groups of peers together across teams, player commitment, playing position and development needs. You will be contacted by a team manager once you have been allocated a team, and if you want to discuss, please contact Dom Maguire, the Junior Development Lead via [email protected] or 07818 420381.
How do I get updates on matches or team selections?
Once you have been allocated a team, you will be invited to matches. We try to use Club Buzz to send match selections as it makes it easier for team managers to track and report back who played for match fees to be paid. If you have any issues using Club Buzz, please contact [email protected]
What league do the junior teams play in and where do they play?
Saturday matches are part of Cheshire Consortium which can include games in Preston, Macclesfield, the Wirrall or even North Wales. Home matches are usually at the AGSB or AGGS pitches although are sometimes on the pitch by the clubhouse. Those playing in adult teams play in a Greater Manchester/ Cheshire league and age group games start local and can be further afield the further we progress! In the event of high availability, selection decisions can be made based on player commitment.
When do the juniors play matches?
Matches are usually on Saturdays or Sundays – some weekends on both although we don’t expect players to commit to both if they don’t want to.
How do playing positions get set?
We expect players to be flexible in their playing positions and although they will develop a favoured position, they will be asked to play in different positions as part of their development and to meet the needs of a team.
Are players expected to stay for match teas?
We find that players greatly benefit from staying for match teas as they build a really strong team spirit and extend their friendships. It is something that is important in hockey so please try to stay if you can, although we recognise that Saturdays are busy for families so it may not always be possible.
Do you operate a car share scheme to take the juniors to matches or is that down to the parents to organise?
It is the responsibility of parents to co-ordinate lifts to matches, and many do this. We cannot take responsibility for organising this however and to comply with the England Hockey Safeguarding policy, adult coaches or players cannot offer lifts to U18s on their own.
Can you just play socially?
Yes of course! We are piloting a new social hockey on Friday evenings and possibly also at weekends. We also try to arrange friendlies for players who are not regularly playing at weekends – if you are keen and can help make this happen it would be great!