Stevenage Hockey Club

Before leaving the house, we all go through the mental checklist.  This is my experience as a player of what I need to remember:

• Stick
• Gum shield
• Shin pads
• Red shirt and socks
• White shirt and socks
• Shorts (or skirt)
• Glove
• Water
• Astroturf shoes
• MONEY TO PAY MATCH FEES

Of course, if you're an goalkeeper it's different:

• Helmet
• Neck guard
• Body armour
• Arm pads
• Gloves
• Padded shorts
• Box
• Leg guards
• Kickers
• Stick

Bad weather deosn't necessarily mean play will not go ahead.  The captains have a difficult job on a day of deciding whether a fixture could go ahead.  Typically, since we're an astroturf based game these days, anything short of the pitch being covered by snow, ice or deep water a game will go ahead.  The captains will let you know as early as they can if a game will go ahead, which is why it is vital that the club has a contact number for you.

As much as we strive to stop them happening, accidents do happen.  Wearing good protective equipment (quality gum shields and shin pads) will reduce the damage of impact with ball, stick, player or ground.  Umpires will do their utmost to try and keep the game safe too, using the rules to protect players from dangerous balls and situations.

Captains are issued at the start of the season with first aid kits stocked with the essentials for pitchside care.  It is also a good idea to ensure your captain has emergency contact details for you.  It is the captain's duty to raise the accident using the following form:

Accident report form.pdf

On becoming a member of the Stevenage Hockey Club, you have agreed to a level of conduct.  All pitchside incidents are subject to review.  Whilst we always hope that no incidents will ever happen around a Stevenage game, it is recognised that something could go wrong.  To this end, there is a reporting form so any incidents can be dealt with fairly and discretely.  This can be found here.

In the early part of 2010, HBHUA launched an initiative to try and combat the deterioration of respect within the game of hockey.  Respect is a code of conduct to be adhered to by all people participating in a game of hockey, whether it be playing or supporting.  For a complete idea of what Respect means, please see the HBHUA site's Web Handbook and Downloads section and look for Handbook34.pdf