Junior Programs – FAQs
1. MY CHILD IS NEW TO FIELD HOCKEY, DOES THAT MATTER?
Not at all. New players are welcome every season. In particular, the Spring Season is about learning and developing skills in an atmosphere of fun and friendship.
2. HOW ARE THE TEAMS FORMED?
The focus of the Hawks Spring Season program is on skill development, teamwork, making new social connections, and having fun.
Club priorities for creating teams include (i) team cohesion – support player well-being, inclusive environment, creating a sense of belonging, promoting trust; and (ii) maintaining a balance – new and experienced, weak and strong players across all teams.
The Age Group Coordinators, with assistance from the Club Manager and Administrator, are the key volunteers who will put teams together in the U11–U18 junior age divisions based on these priorities, following this set of guidelines:
- Returning players, who register before the registration deadline, are automatically placed on their previous team.
- New players are placed on a team based on friend requests where possible and in order of date received.
- If teams are merging due to changes in enrollment, players are placed on new teams with some teammates or friend requests where possible.
- We aim to have a variety of schools represented on a team, rather than forming school-based teams.
- Late registrations are placed on a team as space allows. Friend requests are followed wherever possible.
- Waitlisted players are placed if there is space on any team for them. Coaches and managers do not choose who fills empty spots on their team.
3. MY CHILD IS A NEW PLAYER AND WOULD LIKE TO PLAY WITH FRIENDS. WHERE DO I PUT THIS REQUEST ON THE REGISTRATION?
On the online registration form, you'll find a field in the Additional Player Info section that allows you to enter the names of friends you would like to be on the same team with.
4. WHEN ARE MY CHILD'S PRACTICE & GAME TIMES FOR THE SPRING SEASON?
Session days and times are set for U5 to U7 (available here). For other age groups, team coaches choose the day and time of practices. Once registration is closed, teams will be formed and coaches assigned. Practice schedules will next be completed. If you have a practice conflict, we will do our best to find another team with a practice time that works with your schedule.
5. DO I NEED TO BUY A JERSEY?
U5- U7 Players are expected to have a Hawks t-shirt only. These may be purchased at registration.
U8 - U12 Players wear a Hawks/Kukri junior reversible jersey (red/black). These can be purchased at registration.
U13 – U18 Players wear a Hawks/Kukri adult jersey (white). These can be purchased through registration.
More information on Hawks uniforms may be found here.
6. DO I NEED BLACK AND RED SOCKS?
If your child is playing home and away games they will need the two colours to make it easier for the umpires to differentiate between teams while they are looking down at the turf, ball, and sticks. It is very difficult to make a call when both teams are wearing red socks. Your coach may ask you to change socks right there on the field so please always have both your socks on hand. (U11 to U18 play home & away games).
7. DO I NEED BLACK SHORTS?
All Hawks players are expected to play in black shorts. These may be purchased at registration, or you may use any black sports shorts (e.g. soccer, etc). Preferably, there will be no other colours on the shorts.
8. WHAT IS THE CLUB REFUND POLICY?
Junior Spring Season
If a refund request is made before March 18, 2023, $25 will be withheld from the refund to cover administrative costs. For requests made from March 19 to April 9, 2023, $50 will be withheld. Refunds will not be offered after April 10, 2023.
Junior Fall Season
If a request for refund is made before September 9, 2022, $25 will be withheld from the refund to cover administrative costs. For requests made from September 10 to September 30, 2022, $50 will be withheld. Refunds will not be offered after September 30, 2022.