BOWDON HOCKEY NEW 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 and other purposes.
What if there is no space for me?
The section Lead should notify you and confirm likely openings and if you would like your name to be added on a waiting list. We offer non-member PAYG ‘Just Play’ sessions for Juniors from year 6 – 10 on Mondays and Thursdays, and also Back to Hockey for Women on Friday mornings.
What are the different fees for Club and Hockey?
Bowdon operates as a multi-sports club, with hockey being just one of the sports. The Bowdon Club has to manage all its facilities (including the pitch and floodlights), bar, insurance and pay salaries of those who oversee its general upkeep – this is what your Club membership fee contributes to.
The Hockey section fees cover professional hockey coaches, training, entry to tournaments and leagues, EH affiliation fee and equipment such as goals, balls, bibs and GK equipment.
Match fees are also levied each time you play a match, covering pitch hire, umpire and coach fees and match teas.
How are training and match fees paid?
All fees are deducted automatically by our payments lead using Club Buzz. Junior training fees can be paid annually or in installments. Team captains update Club Buzz with names of players who played in each match so that match fees can be deducted – usually monthly. If you have any questions about payments, please contact Heike Addiscott on [email protected]
Where are our home pitches?
Our main pitch is the ‘wet pitch’ located adjacent to the Bowdon Clubhouse. Our other ‘home’ pitches are 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.
How can I buy kit?
Our kit is supplied by Y1 hockey and is sold from the Y1 Bowdon shop beside our home ‘wet pitch’. More information on our Y1 Bowdon webpage, opening hours are updated on @y1Bowdon Instagram and the Bowdon Community Whatsapp. You can also email [email protected] for more information or kit queries.
We also try to run Preloved Kit sales – keep an eye on our social media for updates.
Is there just one kit or do you have a home and away?
Our home kit is black/red top with black shorts and black/red socks and our away kit is a white top with black shorts and white socks. This can change depending on what the opposition kit is wearing so do check with your team manager before each match.
Do I have to get allocated a shirt number?
Numbers are required by individuals playing in adult teams or juniors playing in U14, U16 or U18 age group England Hockey tournaments. These can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
When is training?
You can find training times here. Weekday sessions usually run through half terms although there is usually a break for junior training. We train through rain and only cancel if the pitch temperature falls below freezing point.
Who is my lead coach?
Each training session is led by a professional coach with support coaches and sometimes some volunteer coaches. Match coaches may be professionals or volunteers. If you have any questions about coaching or selection, please reach out to your lead training coach or matchday coach, team manager or captain.
How can I find out which team I’ll be in?
Decisions about team allocation are made based on several factors – not just technical ability. We also consider strength, fitness, playing position, flexibility, age, commitment, as well as team requirements. More can be found in our Selection process here. Selection will take some time from the start of the season, so be prepared to be flexible as squads settle.
How do I get updates on matches or team selections?
Once you have been allocated a team, you will be added to a squad WhatsApp group. Some teams also use Spond and 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 teams play in and where do they play?
We have 8 Men’s and 8 Women’s adult teams. These include our 1st Women’s and Men’s teams who both play in the top national Premier England Hockey league. Our Women’s 2s also play national league, while all other teams compete in the North West leagues. We have two Development teams which offer a gentle introduction for young or inexperienced players, and a Men’s Masters team.
Our U18s play in the England Hockey Cup while our Junior U14 and U16 teams compete in the highest Tier 1 Supraleague on Sundays. Younger teams get experience playing in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Consortium on Saturdays as well as the Greater Manchester Junior Hockey League (GMJHL) on Sundays.
Are players expected to stay for match teas?
We consider match teas to be a core aspect that creates a sense of community across the Club, and which differentiates hockey from other team sports. We therefore strongly encourage players to stay for teas as much as possible and confirm to Captains promptly each week so they can help the kitchen plan numbers.
What if I am injured or struggling to pay match fees?
We aim to support players in any way we can to keep playing hockey. Please notify the Payments Lead of any injuries/illness which prevent Junior players from taking part over longer periods of time as fees can be paused. She can also discuss potential payment plans for match fees if appropriate.