State School programmes – Area funding support

South Central Hockey supports state school engagement through the Junior Hockey Framework, through delivery of our annual State School tournament. By providing an opportunity to play hockey and delivering free/subsided hockey through outreach programmes focusing on inclusion in underserved areas; the aim is to get more kids playing hockey in schools. Akin to this, England Hockey offer teacher training and tailored programs to increase participation, particularly in primary schools.

We are keen to support club links into state schools to deliver local hockey by providing funding and support for equipment to reduce barriers for schools. By making hockey easier to deliver, providing targeted support, and ensuring engaging and fun experiences, our aim is to increase participation in state schools in our area.

We have already provided funding to three clubs in our area to purchase equipment to enable them to continue their work through their outreach programmes into state schools. Requests for funding should be sent to operations@southcentral.hockey , briefly describing the initiative for which you are seeking support.

SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOOLS HOCKEY REGIONAL FINALS 2026  HOCKEY DATES

Date: Sunday 26th April 2026

Venue: Reading Hockey Club (RHC), Sonning Lane, RG4 6ST

Parking: At RHC and Berkshire County Sports Ground (same postcode, entrance opposite Blue Coach School). See ‘MAP’ tab in the attachment playing schedule.  Please ask everyone to park courteously to allow as many people as possible to park.  We may be able to secure more parking at the ‘nursery’ also shown on the map.

Toilets: Reading HC clubhouse is open for toilets - Adults upstairs, Juniors downstairs.

 Tournament TDs: Across the day we have 4 TDs: Judith Barton, Kate Porter, Rachel Baker and Eilish MacBean and one of us will be at the central desk at all times and the others moving between the pitches.

Central Desk: is situated between the ‘SLW’ and ‘SLS’ pitches – please sign in your team on arrival.  Central timing will be operated from the desk, start times are shown on the Playing Schedule.

Playing Schedule:  Boys and Girls Under 10s and Under 12s ihas been emailed to clubs. We will use hard copy notices and Tournify* on the day for the results. 

Pitches :

‘SLW’: Sonning Lane Water pitch immediately outside of the clubhouse and the Hungry Hut.

2 adjacent pitches:

‘SLS’: Sonning Lane Sand pitch – green pitch

‘SON’: Sonning Blue pitch.

 Under 10s: MORNING across 2 pitches "SLS" and "SON".

Warm up on 2 pitches from 9.00am. Pitches will be available from 8.45am

First match push back: 9.30am

Matches: 15mins 1 way, 5 min change over to allow for 3 cheers and vacate pitch, Plate/Cup play-offs: penalty shoot-out as required

Coaches briefing at 9am by the central desk situated between SLW and SLS

Finish time: 1.15pm

Under 12s: AFTERNOON across 3 pitches "SLW", "SLS" and "SON"

We suggest Under 12 teams arrive after 1.30pm to allow the car parks to partially clear.

Warm up: space is available on all 3 pitches from 2pm

First match push back: 2.20pm

Matches: U12 -10min each way, 2min HT and 3 min change over, Plate/Cup play-offs: penalty shoot-out as required

Coaches briefing: 13.50pm by the central desk situated between SLW and SLS.

Finish time 6.15pm

In2Hockey Championship Regulations:  can be found with this link 

Scoring: is shown on the Playing schedule sent by email to clubs.

Penalty shoot-outs: In line with the In2H Champ Regs, these are now ‘shuffles’ and 3 not 5. 

Team Sheets: please send your completed team sheets back to Judith by 6pm on Friday 24^th April. Please note the team colour, photography and medical requirements.

UMPIRES:

Sophie Parker of South Central will appoint umpires.  Whilst we would like to use this opportunity for young umpires, we will need more umpires on the day. If your club intends to bring an umpire, whatever age, please complete the link below:

https://southcentral.englandhockey.co.uk/in2hockey-finals.

There will be quality coaching available for those who attend and an opportunity to work with top umpires.

Umpires are centrally allocated on the day.

First Aid:  We know your coaches will have been through a DBS check, Safeguarding and First Aid training.  We have been able to secure the First Aid services of Berkshire Search and Rescue all day.  They will be sited by the Central Tournament Desk between the SLW and SLS pitches.

Food & Drink: The RHC clubhouse and Hungry Hut will be open all day from 8.45am for takeaway food, snacks and drinks.  Aro Chef’s will be open all day for breakfast baps, pizzas and chips.

Advance orders can be made for the Aro Lunch Box, see attached flyer for the menu and how to pre-order and pay (QR code).

1x 9” pizza (see menu for choice)

Skin on skinny fries

1x coleslaw

1x soft drink

For just £15.

 Your actions:

1. Provide your team colours by return
2. Ask your umpires to complete the link above for Sophie to plan the day
3. Tell me if you intend to bring a minibus.
4. Disabled parking: if you have spectators that need disabled parking, please ask them to get in touch with me nearer the date.
5. Let your squad know all the details for the day.

If you have any queries, please get in touch.