Hockey Academies
Waterford Hockey Club has two academy training centres for children. Waterford Hockey Academy (based at Newtown School) is our city training centre. Stradbally Hockey Academy (based at Stradbally soccer pitch) is our county training centre. Young people can therefore play and learn the exciting team sport of hockey throughout County Waterford.
We welcome you to join us at either of our academies. Our aim is to ensure that all our kids have fun, take part, make new friends and develop their hockey playing skills, in a child centred friendly environment. These skills of course include foundation level skills for hockey, but also social skills. We endeavour to teach them how to work as a team, respect opponents, coaches, umpires and each other.
We especially welcome all beginners, along with kids who may have played some hockey before. We provide fully qualified coaches for all levels from beginners and upwards.
First and last, we believe at this age, sport and hockey should be an enjoyable experience. The first hockey session is free, so come along and give it a go!!
Waterford Hockey Academy
Waterford Hockey Academy typically runs from September to April each year. Please see our ‘Training Times’ page for our Waterford Hockey Academy new hockey season start up dates and training schedule. This academy has two main age sections: Nursery Group and our Kids Hockey.
Nursey Group
Our Nursery Group typically runs for one hour on Sunday mornings and caters for girls and boys that must be attending primary school, a minimum age of 5 and in Junior Infants or Senior Infants.
Kids Hockey
Kids Hockey typically runs for one hour on Sunday mornings and some week day evenings and caters for up to age 11 (U12 Girls) and up to age 10 (U11 Boys). During the season teams compete at a variety of blitz tournaments with other clubs.
Stradbally Hockey Academy
Stradbally Hockey Academy typically runs on Wednesday evenings from mid September to April each year. Please see our ‘Training Times’ page for our Stradbally Hockey Academy new hockey season start up date and training schedule. Please note membership registration starts promptly at 4.30pm on the new hockey season start up date. This academy has two main age sections: Group 1 and Group 2.
Group 1
Junior Infants to 2nd Class runs for one hour from 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Wednesdays and caters for girls and boys that must be attending primary school, and a minimum age of 5.
Group 2
3rd Class to 6th Class runs for one hour from 5:30am to 6:30pm on Wednesdays and caters for both girls and boys. During the season teams compete at a variety of blitz tournaments with other clubs.
What to Bring
Children should bring the following:
- Wear comfortable sports clothes and runners (hockey or Astro Turf footwear, if you have them). Football boots are not permitted.
- All children must bring their own gum shield and shin guards, which must be worn during all activities on the hockey pitch.
- Bottle of water.
We have hockey sticks that beginners can borrow, until you decide to buy your own.
Joining Our Hockey Academies
If your child is new to hockey, please see our ‘Taking up Hockey’ page for more information about the sport of hockey. Please see our ‘Membership & Fees’ page for all membership registration information.
* The academy sessions will start and finish promptly. Please ensure that your child / children are collected from the playing grounds immediately after the session.
