Outside of pathway courses, Hockey Ireland also runs a number of continuous professional development courses named Stepping Stones. These courses are classroom-based, non-certified sessions that all coaches can attend regardless of level of qualification. Stepping Stones courses are run throughout the year and cover a wide range of topics.

Hooked on Fun: Coaching 6-9 year olds (2 hours) – Phase 1
This course provides the perfect introduction to coaches, parents and teachers coaching primary age children who are starting hockey for the first time. Whilst the course is designed for coaches working with 6-9 year olds or children of an older age starting hockey for the first time, it introduces a range of concepts that are relevant at an older age group. The course will demonstrate developing through fun and innovative games key fundamental physical literacy skills introducing them first in isolation but then with stick and ball using the basic skills of moving and passing a ball. The course culminates in an introduction to the Fun 4s Game.

Exploring Play: Coaching 10-12 year olds (2 – 2.5 hours) – Phase 2
This course, is the perfect course for coaches, teachers and parents working in Clubs and schools working with 10-12 year olds (HookedforLife Phase 2) but would also cover players above that age who may be introduced to hockey for the first time. It details the key techniques, coaching points, games and exercises to be used with this age group as per Hockey Ireland HookedforLife Programme. Super 6s game play including basic tactical understanding will be explained along with an overview of how to tackle the key considerations and challenges of early tactical awareness.

Empowering Play: Coaching and Training for U14s (2.5 hours) – Phase 3
Finding stimulating training games and exercises to cover the core skills is often the greatest challenge for teachers and coaches working with this age range and ability. The course is designed for maximising the use of the Play-Practice-Play methodology to develop the awareness of the core techniques and the context in which they will be used in game play.

Stepping Stones – Application

Bookings are made by emailing coaching@hockey.ie

The cost of each course is €20 if prebooked and €25 on the day.

Places are filled on a first come, first served basis and confirmed when payment is received.