Indoor hockey

Alison Keogh and I are receiving a number of inquiries concerning indoor hockey – the level of interest is fantastic. Yet as detailed in the notes below indoor hockey is more organically organised than the field hockey season. For example the club does not coordinate registration or conduct trials. Consistent with this approach I know a number of teams have already ‘self-organised’ been across the club.

That noted if there are parents/senior players who are organising a team(s), and who require players, I am more than happy to publicise those details so that relevant families can get in touch.

Regards,
Meg

Indoor Hockey

I know a number of players and families have received the indoor hockey magazine and are in the process of organising a team. The magazine is attached. Please note that the trial dates for the 2011 indoor representative season are earlier than in previous years and for some age groups commence 3 August.

A number of families will be very familiar with indoor hockey - for some it will be a new phenomenon. Some basic guidelines are as follows:

1. As the name would suggest the game is played indoors on something akin to a basketball court. There are boards around the perimeter of the court and the ball can be played 'off' the boards.

2. A different stick is required as the ball is different, and the rules do not permit hitting the ball.

3. The ball can only be lifted in the circle and only when a shot on goal.

4. The competition is six a side (including a goalkeeper) and generally played in two 20 minutes halves.

5. Shin guards and mouth guards must be worn.

6. Details of the competition venues are outlined in the attached booklet. As you will see the precise location for each age group is not specified. As a rule the younger age groups (U9s, U11s, U13s) are at the Ryde Aquatic Centre, and older age groups are at Hurstville.

7. Junior competitions are scheduled on a Sunday.

8. The club does not organise the registration of teams for indoor. What generally occurs is that a groups of team-mates will organise a team. Eight to nine players is a good number for a team registration. Often players invite their friends to join with them. That is fantastic although I would also like to think that anyone from Ryde who would like to play for a Ryde team could do so.

9. The club asks that teams playing in the Ryde strip are called Ryde.

10. Teams often organise their own strips (all permissible) and within the realms of decency and good taste come up with inventive names.

11. Registration of teams takes place on September 7 at Ryde Aquatic Centre (not Homebush). All that is required is that someone from the team takes the completed form (contained in attachment) and the team fee.

12. Just on team fees - depending on age group they are either $500 or $580 per team. If there are eight players in the team that generally works out at around $70 each but you may also need to factor in the cost of buying some indoor balls for the team. There is a registration form in the attached book.

13. The club is happy for Ryde goalie gear to be used - so long as it is looked after and then returned.

14. In the past a group of parents have normally put their hands up to coach/convene the team. There is generally no team training required. You just turn up and play on the day. Indoor hockey does not quite have the same routine as field hockey but there are many moments of fun, and is great for skill development.

15. There is a great deal of information contained in the attached booklet about representative indoor hockey as well.

16. So if you are interested - start organising a team among your team-mates. It can be great fun.

Meg