Inaugural Hampshire PC classed a success!

The training sessions of the new Hampshire PC culminated in a match day that saw the U15s pitted against the U18s in a couple of matches of 4 x 20 minute quarters, starting with the girls at 09:30 and followed by the boys at around lunch time.

We had hoped to invite the current TA squads for some competition, but the schedule didn't allow for that.

Despite that, the parents and onlookers were treated to some fine displays of hockey in the mixed weather we were having that day.

I had the opportunity to speak to a number of parents and club representatives on the day, and the overall feedback of the Hampshire PC programme was extremely positive. The fact that we organised this new tier with the higher level coaching was received very well, specially as it stopped these players having to re-enter the DC, which would not have been the most appropriate level for them.

We have a had a good deal of positive feedback from parents and players. One player said: "Excellent standard of coaching and other players to play with and against. Good to have opportunities to do fitness with friends. Good to be in a smaller group than it would be in DC and felt easier to be able to ask the coaches questions. It was fun and really think I benefited from it all." Another one said: "I liked the stretch made which I wouldn't receive in club training especially in the fitness sector"

Some feedback by parents read: "[***] got a lot from training with the different age groups (both younger and older), they get somewhat used to playing in a group and this opportunity allows them to challenge themselves in different situations around different players."

We were also told; "[xxx]'s confidence has risen a great deal, as a result of these sessions." and "Hope this option continues. It has been brilliant keeping those in the gap between county and TA engaged and playing High level hockey. Great initiative."

Some constructive feedback centred around the short notice before the programme started, some unexpected changes to dates and venues when certain coaches and facilities became unavailable, and the lack of meaningful match play against PCs from other counties.

We asked all players and parents to score the PC out of 5, with 1 being 'poor' and 5 'excellent', and we scored 4s and 5s, roughly split equally among the respondents.

All the PC players (except the U18s) will be invited to the AC Assessments where they will be assessed for a place in next year's county teams.