Junior ice hockey is a fun sport and great for team and individual development for young people up to age 18 years and young players with special needs, it is the grass roots of our sport and the foundations to build on for the future.
There are approximately 31 junior clubs within England and Wales. The players are split into teams dependent on their age ie Under 10s /12/ 14/16s and U18s. A number of clubs have U8s development teams and they play each other in challenge games.
Clubs are usually managed by parental volunteers or others who are interested in the sport. A club would normally have an elected committee comprising of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Registration Secretary. Child protection is an important part of running a junior ice hockey club and there will also be a Child Protection Officer as part of the committee. Others are sometimes elected for various jobs, ie. Fundraising, match day organiser, off-ice game officials.
Teams are entered into leagues depending on where they are based, North, Midlands, South East and South West. These regions are called Conferences. Each team is managed by a qualified Manager, at least one Level 2 Coach and a Level One Coach. Every Manager and Coach is trained to our national standards; attending coaching courses which are run at various times throughout the year. Club training takes place once a week, sometimes more. A player can train up an age group depending on their ability and with the agreement of their Coach/Manager. At the end of the season, which usually runs from beginning of September to the end of March, the winners of each age group league compete in the National Junior Finals. During the season teams can also take part in challenge games where they compete against a team that, perhaps, they do not meet in the league, they can also take part in tournaments both at home and abroad.
All Clubs send a representative(s) to their respective Conference meeting. Conferences meet at least twice a season and are headed by a Chairperson and Secretary. Any clubs having any ideas or issues should, in the first instance, discuss these with the Chair and/or Secretary and request that it should be on the agenda for the meeting. If the issue cannot be resolved then the matter should be bought to the attention of the Youth Working Committee (YMC).
The YMC consists of Chair, Secretary, nominated Board members and Chair and Secretary of the four Conferences. The Chair of the YMC, in conjunction with the Director responsible for Youth Hockey, nominates someone from clubs to take these positions. Others can be asked to attend the YMC meetings depending on need. YMC meet 3 times a season culminating in the Annual Section meeting which is held during the AGM weekend.
Conference Teams:
In conjunction with the Conference Chair, the Conference Coaching Mentor appoints a manager and coaches to the Conference teams; U11, U13, U15, U17. The Conference teams hold trials to which players from clubs are either invited by the coaches or sent by team officials. Conference squads train, play games or can enter into tournaments both in UK and abroad in preparation for the Inter Conference Tournament which is usually held during the May Day Bank holiday weekend at the Ice Arena in Hull. The Conference tournament is a showcase for players to show their skills and ability and have the opportunity of being selected for national team schools of excellence which in turn can lead to selection into England teams.