IRISH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

CLUB/SCHOOL LINK GUIDE

Both schools and clubs play such an important role in introducing the sport of hockey as well as developing young players. Irish Hockey aims to support all clubs and schools with a view to hockey being played long into the future. To that end, we encourage clubs and in particular primary schools to build a relationship which will benefit all parties involved. One which will ultimately lead to a better playing experience for each child.

We are very aware that there is no ‘one fit solution’. It will be up to clubs and schools to figure out what works best for both parties. The document below however will hopefully provide suggestions, ideas and areas for discussion that may not have been previously considered.

OVERVIEW

This Club/School Link Guide provides advice and support to clubs and schools that are establishing a relationship. As there are a lot of factors to consider, an overview is provided below. Click on each of these areas and you’ll be brought to the relevant section of the document. As always, help is on hand from your Regional Development Officer so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

  1. Steps to establishing a club/school link: 12 short steps that you can follow to establish a club/school link
  2. What is a club/school link?Definition and why Irish Hockey promotes club/school links
  3. Code of Ethics: Key considerations around child protection and best practice
  4. Tricks 4 Sticks: Details of the IHA primary school development programme and how you can take part
  5. Communication: Ensuring that key contacts are made available to all involved
  6. Coaching: Resources and courses that should be considered when delivering hockey in a school
  7. Building the link: A list of ideas of how clubs can actively encourage pupils to engage with the club
  8. Being prepared: Areas to think about if playing numbers grow
  9. Responsibilities: Figuring out who is responsible for doing what and ensuring it’s clear to all involved
  10. Equipment: Opportunity to gain a loan of equipment from Irish Hockey
  11. Insurance: Ensuring that adequate cover is in place for any proposed activities
  12. Inclusion: Advice and support so that hockey is made available for all regardless of ability
  13. Overplaying: Ensuring that expectations of children are realistic
  14. Long term: Consideration for the future and ensuring that the club/school link lasts
  15. Support: List of Development Officers for the sport of hockey that can support your club or school

STEPS TO ESTABLISHING CLUB/SCHOOL LINKS

  1. Discuss within the club or school why you want to establish a link and what outcome you would like. That should help shape how the link is formed.
  1. Decide which primary schools you want to establish a link with and appoint someone from the club to take on the responsibility for establishing and growing the relationship with the school. Look for a counterpart in the school to take on a similar role.
  2. Representatives from the club meet with the principal, parents and teachers that have a role in sport/games.
  3. Agree points of contact for the club and school.
  4. Outline the club’s work at youth level focusing on Code of Ethics, HookedforLife and all other youth events and activities.
  5. Establish what activities will be run by the club and school where both parties benefit. Keep a record of this agreement.
  6. If the activity/activities will lead to an increase of hockey players in the club or school make sure that everyone is prepared for the extra numbers.
  1. Provide a calendar of club events to the school and outline how the school could come on board. Establish if the school has events that the club could take part in.
  2. Keep in regular contact with the school. Establish (and keep up to date) a hockey notice-board in the school with information on club blitzes, events, international fixtures (posters usually available) and any other club events or activities.
  1. Liaise with the Regional Development Officer for your province in terms of any initiatives, courses or resources that may be available to the club and schools. This includes coaching courses (Introductory, Level 1, Stepping Stones), coaching resources (Hooked on Fun, Hooked on Games, online DVDs) and other initiatives such as the TY Hockey Programme.
  2. Build on the new partnership over time; review it and make changes as suits the club and school. Consider any activities that will encourage children to play hockey and stay in the sport.

WHAT IS A CLUB/SCHOOL LINK?

Irish Hockey defines a club/school link as one where the club and school have met and recorded agreed activity/activities on a seasonal basis which sees the ongoing participation of pupils and club members in hockey. This activity can be as small or as large as the club and school deem appropriate. The reason that Irish Hockey advocates club/school links is it:

-Brings clubs and schools from the same community together rather than working in isolation

-Opens up access for children to play sport after they have left school

-Introduces children to hockey

-Improves coaching standards

In many cases a club/school link is designed around a club coach visiting the school. However that is only one form of a club/school link and it should be designed to meet the joint needs of the club and school. Any club/school link must be mutually beneficial if it is to be successful. Irish Hockey strongly recommends all clubs to forge links with schools and in particular primary schools.

CODE OF ETHICS

Hockey is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its participants. Every individual in hockey should at all times, show respect and understanding for participants’ rights, safety and welfare and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the guidelines contained in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport.In working with young people in hockey our first priority is the welfare of young people and we are committed to providing an environment that will allow participants to perform to the best of their ability, free from abuse, neglect, bullying and intimidation.

All clubs and schools forming a partnership are encouraged to sign a ‘Club/School Link Agreement’. This document has a strong Code of Ethics element to it and looks for the following information which is essential to have in place:

  • Club: Must have a Club Children’s Officer and Club Designated Person with training (details must be publically available online). Click here for more on Code of Ethics implementation.
  • Coach (if taking on a role in the school): Must have an IHA coaching qualification, Code of Ethics Awareness Certificate (ROI) or Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport (NI) and must have been recruited in line with the Code of Ethics for Hockey for Young People. Click here for more on recruitment and selection.
  • School: Must have a Designated Liaison Person. The school must be satisfied that the coach complies with the school’s requirements around child protection in line with the Department of Education guidelines and Children First.

Any decisions made with regard to a child playing hockey must be in the best interest of the child. This includes the club in which a child plays. Coaches and teachers are in a position of influence and it is important that children are encouraged to play hockey where it suits their needs best – not that of the school or club. The choice of club should be the choice of the child and parent only. For further information and guidance on the Code of Ethics for Hockey for Young People, click here.

TRICKS 4 STICKS

Tricks 4 Sticks is the IHA flagship primary schools development programme. This programme involves a qualified hockey coach going to a school and taking an hour long session with the students, teaching them the basic skills and allowing the participants to be introduced to the sport. In addition to taking part in a once-off skills session, each school is offered the opportunity to sign up to a six week or a twelve week programme where the IHA provides a qualified coach to go to the school on a weekly basis. Teachers also get involved with Tricks 4 Sticks by assisting the coach. Tricks 4 Sticks is currently in place all over the country and is generally supporting a struggling club, supporting a newly established club or supporting a primary school that links to a secondary school. If you feel that Tricks 4 Sticks may be suitable for your club or school, simply speak to your Regional Development Officer.

COMMUNICATION

It is vital that all parties involved know who the main point of contact is. This information should be clearly laid out in the ‘Club/School Link Agreement’. It should include details of all people involved including the main point of contact for the club, the school and Irish Hockey. It may also be helpful to include the contact details of a coach if this part of the arrangement.

COACHING

The emphasis for coaching should be on fun and instilling a love of hockey. There are a number of resources that coaches can avail of including Hooked on Fun (available for free on and Hooked on Games (available to purchase from Irish Hockey). Hooked on Fun includes 15 session plans and is ideal for any coach working with primary schools. Hooked on Games also includes 15 session plans and is ideal for secondary school players.

Any coach or Sports Leader taking on a role in a school or club (irrespective of whether they are paid or not and whether they are provided by the club or employed by the school) must have an IHA coaching qualification and a Code of Ethics Awareness Certificate (ROI) or Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport (NI). Coaching courses are regularly available from Irish Hockey and details can be found on The Code of Ethics Basic Awareness Course is run by the Irish Sport Council through the Local Sports Partnerships in the Republic of Ireland. A list of Local Sports Partnerships is available by clicking here. A list of courses run by Sport NI is available by clicking here.

BUILDING THE LINK

One of the main considerations for any club looking to build a club/school link is to consider how is the link going to be forged. It may not be enough to run hockey in a school, children need to be encouraged to engage with the club. There are a number of ways in which this can be done and the club may want to focus on one or choose a range:

  • Run a ‘taster day’ where pupils get to try hockey out
  • Hold a blitz for pupils on school grounds
  • Hold a blitz for pupils on club grounds
  • Flyer handed out to each child with club information
  • Visit from ‘top club players’ or international players to the school
  • Arrange to bring pupils to see international fixtures, interprovincial or Division 1 hockey
  • Put up posters in the school with club information
  • Club newsletter circulated to children
  • Club open day for school pupils

In all cases, it’s vital to get the agreement of the school before any activities are run. These agreed activities should form the basis of the agreed Club/School Link.

BEING PREPARED

Any club/school link will hopefully lead to an increase in the number of children playing the sport. It is vital that the club and school are prepared to deal with additional numbers. Some of the items below are areas for consideration in terms of being prepared:

Club & School

  • Introductory Coaching Course (for Teachers or for Volunteers): 6 hour pathway coaching course, required for the Level 1. Can be delivered in the school or club grounds. Price depends on number of attendees, negotiated directly with Irish Hockey.
  • Stepping Stones (Phase 1, 2 and/or 3): 2.5 hour workshops which are delivered to coaches working with specific age groups. €90 for each workshop, no maximum number of coaches required.
  • Review of current facilities: A hockey pitch is not required to play the sport but you need to ensure that children can play safely in the area allotted. This also applies to the club where additional members may turn up to training – you need to have the space for them! Speak to your Regional Development Officer for advice.

Club

  • Youth Leader Programme: Introduces young people aged 15 to 21 to volunteering as coaches, umpires or team managers. All Youth Leaders must complete 5 hours of practical work and provide the club with additional voluntary support. Kicks off with a 4 hour workshop which can be delivered at the club grounds. Price depends on number of attendees, negotiated directly with Irish Hockey.
  • Parents provide an excellent source of volunteers to clubs. Many clubs now insist on parents providing a ‘day of volunteering’ to the club when signing up their children. Clubs often ask parents to stay throughout coaching sessions and subsequently ask them to get involved. If your club needs additional manpower to cater for additional children, don’t be afraid to reach out to parents.

School

  • TY Hockey Programme: This programme focuses on two main areas of hockey, coaching and umpiring, with leadership skills as the underlying theme. This is delivered by a tutor who visits the secondary school for a day and a half. Students are also expected to gain real-life practical experience in order to complete the programme and to gain certification. €380 for a max of 16 attendees or €23.75 per student.
  • Parents: In many cases, particularly in primary schools, parents take a leadership role in overseeing and coaching hockey. Schools may often times have parents who have playing experience and coaching qualifications. It’s worthwhile reaching out to parents to see who may be interested in getting involved.

RESPONSIBILITITIES

It is very important that everyone involved in the relationship is aware of what their responsibilities and roles are. This avoids confusion over who is doing what and will allow for all areas of the Club/School Link Arrangement to be discussed. There are some suggestions of areas to discuss below:

School Responsibilities

  • Provide access to the pitch or school facility for hockey
  • Contribute toward the payment of the coach
  • Parents to be notified that pupils are taking part in hockey
  • Pupils and teachers to be prepared for hockey at an agreed time in an agreed place
  • Pupils to have shin guards and gum shields
  • Essential for the teacher to stay throughout the coaching session and to ideally take part
  • Teacher to sign the weekly Session Report (as produced by the coach)
  • Contact the coach in a timely fashion if a session has to be cancelled

Club Responsibilities

  • Provide access to the pitch
  • Contribute toward the payment of the coach
  • Ensure all pupils who attend coaching sessions in the club will receive a quality hockey experience
  • Provide a club coach who has been recruited in line with the Code of Ethics for Hockey for Young People
  • Host a blitz on club grounds

Coach Responsibilities

  • Focus on fun and instilling a love of hockey with all children
  • Deliver all coaching sessions in line with HookedforLife using IHA coaching resources if required
  • Record any accidents or incidents which need to be reported or dealt with accordingly
  • Complete a weekly Session Report, ask the teacher to sign it each week and store a copy
  • Contact the Designated Liaison Person in the school if any concerns over pupils arise
  • Contact the Club Designated Person if any concerns over club players arise
  • Keep in regular contact with Irish Hockey
  • If taking part in Tricks 4 Sticks, record participation numbers (boys and girls)
  • Contact the club or school in a timely fashion if a session has to be cancelled

Irish Hockey Responsibilities

  • Contribute toward the payment of the coach
  • Contribute equipment on a loan basis
  • Guidance and support from the Regional Development Officer
  • Provide contact to the provincial branch including the details for taking part in local school fixtures
  • Provide advice on Active School Flag (if the school wishes to pursue it)

EQUIPMENT

In many instances Irish Hockey may be able to provide a loan of equipment (sticks, balls etc.) to the club or school however that must be agreed in advance. Equipment is loaned only and will be collected if the hockey programme does not continue for any reason. If Irish Hockey is not providing the equipment, it must be agreed between the club and school in advance as to who is doing so and who has eventual ownership of the equipment.

INSURANCE

It is vital that the club and school agree as to whose insurance policy the hockey activity falls under. If the arrangement is part of the IHA’s Tricks 4 Sticks, insurance is likely to be covered by the IHA but again that needs to be agreed in advance.