What is the Young Hockey Leaders Award?

The Young Hockey Leaders Award is a 5-hour long course that introduces young people, aged between 14 and 18, to volunteering in their hockey club. The aim of the programme is to enjoy all aspects of the sport of hockey rather than concentrating on playing only.

The programme has previously comprised of 2 modules:

  • Umpiring (2.5 hours)
  • Coaching and Team Management (2.5 hours)

However, in 2020, as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, Hockey Ireland has decided to divide the delivery of YHLA into 2 parts:

  1. Online regional workshop – 1 hour
  2. Practical regional pitch session – 4 hours
The Young Hockey Leaders Award helps to pass on skills, top tips and most importantly confidence so that Young Leaders can get back out to their clubs in order to put their new found knowledge to use! In order to complete the award, each leader must attend the 2 modules and then go back to their club to complete 5 hours of contact time.  The cost of the course is €20 per participant.

We will continue to add dates and venues across Ireland for August, please keep your eyes peeled for this.

For any clubs who wish to hold a YHLA please get in touch with your regional development officer.

How does my club take part?

Under normal circumstances there are two ways your club can take part:

  1. Organise a workshop at your club grounds: You need a minimum of 12 Young Leaders and Hockey Ireland will provide the tutor (classroom and pitch time required). To organise this, contact your local development manager.
  1. Send your Youth Leaders to a centrally run workshop in your province. See below for upcoming courses. To book a place, please contact the relevant staff member (see below).

However, in 2020 due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Hockey Ireland has decided to divide the delivery of YHLA as above.

All clubs must provide details of a Young Leader Mentor who is the main contact between Hockey Ireland and the club. This person is also responsible for the ongoing development and deployment of Young Leaders within a club. For more details on this, click here.
To organise a course, please contact your provincial development officer:
– Leinster – Kenny.carroll@hockey.ie
– Connacht – david.granero@hockey.ie
– Munster – brendan.woods@hockey.ie
– Fingal – ross.hetem@hockey.ie
– Ulster – jonathan.mcmeekin@ulsterhockey.com