We are Avon County Hockey Association

Avon County Hockey Association’s objective is to help promote, develop and encourage all forms of hockey for adults, young people and children in clubs and schools.  We are members of both England Hockey and West Hockey.

Avon County Hockey Association was formed in 2020 following major reconstruction by England Hockey. EH divided the country into eight Areas and Avon comes under the auspices of the West Area.

All clubs who play within the old County of Avon (1974) boundaries are members of the County Association. It was initially a Women’s only county with a very successful junior section which was one of the reasons EH came to form the new Association encompassing all Men’s and Women’s clubs.

The County is run by a committee led by a Chair with a Secretary, Treasurer and others overseeing activities in Adult and Junior Competitions, Masters and Officials.

All hockey clubs within Avon County uphold the policies issued by England Hockey, this includes the safeguarding policy. All England Hockey governance documents are available and can be found using this link: England Hockey Governance Documents.

Opportunity for Hockey Coaches, Managers, Administrators

May 2026 – March/April 2027  

For 2026-2027 Avon County Hockey Association is seeking to appoint a number of Coaches, Administrators and Managers to work at its Development Centres and Academy Centres at U14, U15, U17 age groups.

For 2026-2027 there will be Development Centres at U14/U15 age groups. These will run in May and June with a competition for selection to Academy Centres for the age groups in June.

For U16 nominated players will be invited to attend a trial. Date to be confirmed.  From this trial 25-30 players, including Goal keepers will be selected to attend Academy Centres from September/October 2026 to March/April 2027

Development Centre and Academy Centre coaches will be needed to cover the Bristol and Bath areas. U14s only in Bath.  We are also really keen to help develop our GKs, so if you are a GK coach, please help.

The Development Centres and Academy Centres represent an excellent opportunity for all hockey coaches to work in both leading and assisting roles plus learning new skills.

The Commitment

Development Centres – 4 x 2hrs Sessions.

Academy Centres – 4 x 2hrs Sessions plus Competition in October/November 2026 and 4 x 2hrs sessions plus competition in Feb/March/April 2027

These sessions usually take place on a Friday evening from 6.15pm – 8.15pm.

Avon Performance Centre (APC) – 4 x 2 hour sessions (Monday nights) These sessions are used to aid in the development of players trying out for Talent Academy assessments but is also being used for coach development. Coaches help at APC on a voluntary basis.

Qualifications: Avon Juniors seeks to involve all coaches who have the potential to coach at the higher level.  We welcome applications from coaches who are not currently qualified and wish to develop their skills and wish to gain a Level 1/Introduction Hockey at a future date.  Avon Juniors are also looking for coaches who have already gained a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification/Sessional Coach. A current First Aid Certificate and a current Child Protection Certificate are required for Level 2 coaches and above.

All coaches would be subject to an Enhanced DBS check (through England Hockey). Avon Hockey will pay for these checks to be completed.

Payments & Expenses

All coaches contracted to the Development Centres and Academy Centres will receive payments based on their qualifications and role on a per session/hourly rate.

Payments for coaches are as follows:

In addition, Avon Juniors will pay travel expenses.

There is also funding available for coaching courses, to any coach who wishes to develop subject to a commitment to coaching at the Development Centres and Academy Centres.

Please send your expression of interest as soon as possible and 1 Page CV to Val Shipsey, Juniors Organiser at: [email protected]