JUNIOR PROGRAMS
WELCOME TO THE HAWKS JUNIOR PROGRAMS INFO
Vancouver Hawks Field Hockey Club operates a variety of programs for junior players (U5-U18) throughout the year. Our Club seeks to develop and support programs which align with our mission to develop lifelong involvement in field hockey and with the principles of Canadian Sport for Life. The fundamental objectives are to maintain high quality coaching, a variety of programming, personal development experiences and fun though hockey and social connections. The Club also adheres to the True Sport Principles.
Field hockey is a late specialization sport and skills are advanced in line with cognitive and physical development. Athletes 14 and under are encouraged to maintain participation in multiple sports.
Competitive and advanced skill opportunities are provided through the Hawks junior programs, FHBC programs and integration of junior-age players into the senior teams at approximately age 14. In this context, the Junior Spring Season remains primarily focused on social connections, skill development and fun. The Junior Spring Season also provides an opportunity for the older junior athletes to participate in coaching, umpiring and other volunteer roles, encouraging athletes to give back to the community and sport.
Vancouver Hawks FHC – Junior Program Annual Calendar
2024 JUNIOR INDOOR PROGRAM
For winter 2023/2024, we are excited to provide the details of our Junior Indoor Program. We are fortunate to have secured access to both Britannia Gym and the Richmond Oval for this winter, and are offering two junior programs: U15 Girls and U18 Girls. We also plan to send a U16 and U18 team to the Cowichan Indoor Tournament in January. Tournament participation will be an additional cost.
Sessions will be coached by paid Hawks coaches, led by our Head Coach Matt Sarmento. Players are expected to arrive early and warm up off the court, as time in the gym is limited.
We understand that this program is last-minute (indoor space is very hard to find!) - we have priced the program accordingly!
Equipment
Hawks have limited indoor sticks available to borrow. If you would like to purchase your own we have a discount available with Just Field Hockey – please email Andrew for more information. We require that all junior players wear indoor gloves – these are available to purchase from the club at the gym for $35 each.
PROGRAM DETAILS
U15 Girls
Britannia Gym D, Tues Dec 12, 4-5:30pm
Britannia Gym D, Tues Dec 19, 4-5:30pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Jan 17, 7-8pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Jan 24, 7-8pm
COWICHAN TOURNAMENT JAN 26-28
Richmond Oval, Wed Jan 31, 7-8pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 7, 7-8pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 14, 7-8pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 21, 7-8pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 28, 7-8pm
U18 Girls
Britannia Gym D, Thur Dec 14, 4-5:30pm
Britannia Gym D, Thur Dec 21, 4-5:30pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Jan 17, 8-9pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Jan 24, 8-9pm
COWICHAN TOURNAMENT JAN 26-28
Richmond Oval, Wed Jan 31, 8-9pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 7, 8-9pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 14, 8-9pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 21, 8-9pm
Richmond Oval, Wed Feb 28, 8-9pm
NOTE - Cowichan tournament will be organised and paid for separately – this registration does NOT include tournament entry.
For those athletes who are participating in the Next Gen program, we have been given assurances that there is no clash with any FHC programming. NG athletes, Hawks or non-Hawks, can participate in the Indoor Program and are welcome to join the roster for the Cowichan Tournament from January 26-28.
Vancouver Hawks 2024 Junior Spring Season Fees
U5-U6 $159
U7 $159
U8 - U10 $159
U11 - U12 $209
U13 - U14 $209
U15 - U18 $259
Vancouver Hawks 2024 Junior Spring Age Group
Birth Year 2024 Junior Spring – Age Group
2017-2019 U5-U7
2016 U8
2015 U9
2014 U10
2013 U11
2012 U12
2011 U13
2010 U14
2009 U15
2008 U16
2007 U17
2006 U18
NOTE - RENEW/PURCHASE YOUR FHBC MEMBERSHIP FIRST!
FHBC Fees
Vancouver Hawks members will now be required to register and pay fees directly with FHBC rather than within the Hawks registration system. The FHBC # is important as it provides your insurance coverage for any sanctioned field hockey activity in BC.
FHBC fees are valid from September 1 to August 31 of each year, and are required before you begin any Hawks programs. Proof of FHBC registration will be required in the form of an uploaded copy of the receipt in order to register for all Hawks programs.
FHBC registration is available here:
2024 Junior Spring Season
The 2024 Vancouver Hawks Junior Spring Season will run from April to June.
The goal of Hawks Junior Spring Season is to bring hockey to a wide and inclusive group, while having as much fun as possible!
The Spring Season is:
- Fun and engaging – practices are aimed at developing athlete's skills in both individual and team contexts while promoting a lifelong engagement with the sport.
- Non-streamed – players of all abilities learn to cooperate as a group. New players are welcomed and stronger players are encouraged to take on mentoring roles in a team environment.
- Volunteer powered – Hawks has a great history of community support and our volunteers are crucial to the running of the Club. Each spring season we count on dozens of parents, players, coaches and umpires to volunteer their time to help provide the best experience possible for our junior players.
Younger Players: U5 – U10
Junior Spring Season is a once-a-week commitment, with all training sessions on proper field hockey turf to make the perfect introduction to the sport.
- U5–U7 Co-ed: practice and small games on Saturday mornings, 9:30am-10:30am, at Eric Hamber turf.
- U8 Girls: practice and inter-squad games on Monday, 5pm-6:15pm at Eric Hamber turf.
- U9 Girls: practice and inter-squad games on Monday, 6:15pm-7:30pm at Eric Hamber turf.
- U10 Girls: practice and inter-squad games on Tuesday, 5pm-6:30pm at Eric Hamber turf.
- U8–U10 Boys: practice and inter-squad games on Tuesday, 5pm-6:30pm at Eric Hamber turf.
Older Players: U11 – U18
Junior Spring Season offers one weeknight practice and a weekend game. Games are played against other clubs from around the Lower Mainland. Depending on the age group, games may be Saturday or Sunday and approximately half the games are home games, played in Vancouver while others will involve travel. New players are always welcome at every age level.
Juniors play in the Greater Vancouver Junior Field Hockey League (GVJFHL). Girls league is structured in one-year age groups (U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U18). Boys play in two-year age groups (U12, U14, U16, U18) in the GVJFHL.
- U11–U12 Girls: one weeknight practice (usually a couple of options at each age group) on either Eric Hamber or UBC turf and a modified (8v8), half field weekend game against other clubs.
- U13–U18 Girls: one weeknight practice (usually a couple of options at each age group) on either Eric Hamber or UBC turf and a full-field, weekend game.
- U11/U12 Boys: practice Tuesdays, Eric Hamber turf and a modified, half field weekend game against other clubs.
- U13/U14; U15/U16; U17/U18 Boys: one weeknight practice (posted as soon as scheduling finalized) on either Eric Hamber or UBC turf and a full-field, weekend game.
Game Days
Girls
Saturday – U11, U12, U14, U16
Sunday – U13, U15, U17, U18
Boys
Saturday – U11/12, U15/16
Sunday – U13/14, U17/18
Holiday Weekends: Practices and training sessions will NOT be held on long weekends.
Uniforms & Equipment
For information about Hawks uniforms and equipment needed to play, please click here
FHBC Fees
Vancouver Hawks members will now be required to register and pay fees directly with FHBC rather than within the Hawks registration system. The FHBC # is important as it provides your insurance coverage for any sanctioned field hockey activity in BC.
FHBC fees are valid from September 1 to August 31 of each year, and are required before you begin any Hawks programs. Proof of FHBC registration will be required in the form of an uploaded copy of the receipt in order to register for all Hawks programs.
(did you play in the Hawks Junior Fall program? If so, you already have a valid FHBC #)
FHBC registration is available here (start the process by searching for your existing #, which stays with you each year):
2024 SPRING ELITE TEAMS (GIRLS)
The Vancouver Hawks Spring Elite Teams (SET)(formerly Hawks Tournament Teams), target committed, competitive and high-performance hockey players who are looking for an additional spring season opportunity. Players interested in the Spring Elite Teams will be selected based on skill and performance, and will train together once per week in addition to their 2024 Hawks Spring League (GVJFHL) practices and games. All participants must be Vancouver Hawks members playing in the Junior Spring Season. The SET will be comprised of three age group teams: U14, U16 & U18.
The SET program includes 10 training sessions, gameplay within the Youth League (consisting of teams from West Van, Sea to Sky and Polar Bears) and the possibility of participating in up to three tournaments in May and June, including the BC Club Championships, the Cowichan and India Club Tournaments.
Once registered, players will be informed of the assessment session details. Those not selected to the ‘A’ team in each age group will have the chance to participate in the May/June tournaments on a ‘B’ team within their age group but will continue to train throughout the ten-week program.
SET Program Message
SET players and parents,
We wanted to clear the air on the purpose and goal of the SET teams/program.
This is the Hawks’ spring time high-performance team. Regular spring league is focused on having fun with your friends, being social with hockey, and competing for the love of the game. However, our SET teams, which stands for Spring Elite Teams, are for the athletes who want the extra high-performance hockey and an elite training environment. Our teams can only name 18 bodies for each Youth-League game, so selections done by the coaching staff will need to take place on a weekly basis for games that have more than 18 attending.
Everyone is welcome to train with the squad, but again we have a limited number of player spots per weekend. This team will also take part in the Tier 1 division of the Club Championships (later in May/June) and the India Club Tournament in June. Participation in these tournaments is mandatory if selected to SET as we can only name 18 players for those tournaments. Those players not selected will likely join other Hawks players on Tier 2 teams within those tournaments.
Matt Sarmento
Head Coach
Vancouver Hawks FHC
Session Times/Days and Dates
U14 SET
Fridays, 5:00-6:30pm, Hamber Field
April 5 to June 7
U16 SET
Fridays, 5:00-6:30pm, Hamber Field
April 5 to June 7
U18 SET
Mondays, 7:00-8:30pm, UBC Wright Field
April 8 to June 10
Vancouver Hawks 2024 Junior Winter Academy Fees
U15 Girls $275
U18 Girls $275
U15/U18 Boys $275
Vancouver Hawks 2024 Winter Academy Age Groups
Birth Year Academy Program
2006-2011 Boys U15/U18 Boys Academy
2009-2011 Girls U15 Girls Academy
2006-2008 Girls U18 Girls Academy
2024 Junior Winter Academy
Boys & Girls
U13 to U18
The Vancouver Hawks Club is excited to announce our Winter Academy will be returning in January of 2024. This weekly, intensive program for U13-U18 boys and girls (athletes born between 2006 and 2011) will challenge the athletes both tactically and technically, and will group the athletes based on a tiering system. The Academy will run for 9 sessions starting January 19 and is aimed at those looking to challenge and improve the fundamentals of their game. It is an addition to regular Hawks programming, and is designed for those interested in developing towards, or as a complement to, elite and high performance programs.
Girls U15 Academy
- Players U13, U14, U15, Grades 7-9
- Fridays
- January 19 to March 15 (including Family Day weekend)
- 5:00–6:30pm
- Hamber AT Field
Girls U18 Academy
- Players U16, U17, U18, Grades 10-12
- Fridays
- January 19 to March 15 (including Family Day weekend)
- 6:30-8:00pm
- Hamber AT Field
Boys U15/U18 Academy
- Players U13 to U18, Grades 7-12
- Fridays
- January 19 to March 15 (including Family Day weekend)
- 6:30-8:00pm
- Hamber AT Field
Program Cost: $275
The cost of the program includes:
- All certified coaches and head coaching from Men’s National Team (MNT) and Women’s National Team (WNT) athletes
- 9 x 90 minutes of instruction and skill development from experienced coaches, with a ratio of not more than 10 athletes to one coach
Academy Curriculum & Information
- Will generally follow the Field Hockey BC (Long Term Athlete Development) framework for the athletes for skill based streaming and training
- Nine weeks progressive skills development for field players and goalies
- Focus on technical development and refinement of field hockey skills
- Focus on game-scenario tactical awareness and understanding
- Individual athlete feedback and assessment – on-field throughout the training Program
- This will be a tiered program. Athletes will be grouped each week according to skill level and abilities
- Groups are determined through ongoing coach assessment
- There will be opportunity to be invited to move between groups
- Skill-based grouping is fluid and solely at the discretion of the coaching staff
- Drills at appropriate level to develop the athletes and maximize the learning
Commitment to the full program is requested
FHBC Fees
Vancouver Hawks members will now be required to register and pay fees directly with FHBC rather than within the Hawks registration system. The FHBC # is important as it provides your insurance coverage for any sanctioned field hockey activity in BC.
FHBC fees are valid from September 1 to August 31 of each year, and are required before you begin any Hawks programs. Proof of FHBC registration will be required in the form of an uploaded copy of the receipt in order to register for all Hawks programs.
(did you play in the Hawks Junior Fall program? If so, you already have a valid FHBC #)
FHBC registration is available here (start the process by searching for your existing #, which stays with you each year):
2024 Pre-Season Tune Up
U10 - U12 Co-Ed
The Vancouver Hawks Club is excited to offer a new, weekly, skills development program for U10-U12 boys and girls (athletes born between 2012 and 2014). This is a 9 week, fun-based training program for field hockey players who are interested in playing field hockey year round and who want to improve their technical skills.
Registration is limited and is on a first-come-first-served basis.
U10-U12 (Grades 3-6)
- Fridays
- January 19 to March 15 (including Family Day weekend)
- 5:00-6:30pm
- Hamber AT Field
Program Cost: $165
The program includes:
- All certified coaches and head coaching from MNT (Men’s National Team) and WNT (Women’s National Team) athletes;
- 9 x 90 minutes session with instruction and skill development from experienced coaches, with a ratio of not more than 10 athletes to one coach;
- Individual athlete feedback and assessment – on-field throughout the training Program.
Curriculum & Information
This Program will follow the basic principles of Field Hockey BC’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework for “Learn to Train”:
- A combination of drills and mini-games to maximize learning;
- A focus on age appropriate skill development;
- Lots of touches on the ball with the stick;
- Movement with and off the ball;
- Learning about teamwork with passing and positional play;
- An emphasis on fun and safety!
FHBC Fees
Vancouver Hawks members will now be required to register and pay fees directly with FHBC rather than within the Hawks registration system. The FHBC # is important as it provides your insurance coverage for any sanctioned field hockey activity in BC.
FHBC fees are valid from September 1 to August 31 of each year, and are required before you begin any Hawks programs. Proof of FHBC registration will be required in the form of an uploaded copy of the receipt in order to register for all Hawks programs.
(did you play in the Hawks Junior Fall program? If so, you already have a valid FHBC #)
FHBC registration is available here (start the process by searching for your existing #, which stays with you each year):
2023 SUMMER Junior Drop-In
2023 Summer Junior Drop-In (U11-U16)
Registration is $40 for the entire summer and there are two sessions per week. Players can attend one or BOTH sessions. These sessions are open to all, and we encourage you to bring friends.
| Hamber | Mondays | 6:30-8pm | Junior Drop In |
| Hamber | Thursdays | 6:30-8pm | Junior Drop In |
2023 Junior SUMMER CAMPS
Following our popular Junior Spring Season, we are excited to again offer a summer camp program.
We are partnering with VAFC again to offer a multi-sport (hockey + soccer) camp.
Our programs will focus on fun, small-group activities highlighting skill practice and development.
- Full-day camp runs Monday to Friday, July 17–21
- Camp is held at Eric Hamber AT field (Oak Street, between 33rd & 37th)
- Open to all boys and girls
- NOTE - This camp is for players U8 (2015 born) to U13 (2010 born). The registration system will not allow you to register for a camp if your child is not within the assigned age range.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR SUMMER CAMPS, INCLUDING A LINK TO REGISTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Hope to see you at the field this summer!
2023 Junior Fall Season
The Junior Fall Season, open to U8 – U14 boys and girls, is aimed at junior players keen to continue their hockey development throughout the year.
(NOTE - PLAYERS MUST BE 7 YEARS OLD AS OF JANUARY 1, 2023)
Details
10 sessions running from September 8 to November 17
(no practice or games over Thanksgiving long weekend)
Age Groups
U8 – U10; player age on January 1, 2023 = 7, 8, 9
U11 – U12; player age on January 1, 2023 = 10, 11
U13 – U14; player age on January 1, 2023 = 12, 13
Training
Hamber AT Field
U8 – U10 Fridays, 5:00-6:00pm
U11 – U12 Fridays, 6:00-7:15pm
U13 – U14 Fridays, 7:15-8:30pm
Games
Teams will be entered into a Fall Junior League. Other teams in the league include West Van, Tri-Cities, Polar Bears and Sea to Sky.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Games played at Mulgrave (West Van), UBC Wright Field and Crofton (Crofton only scheduled for U8 age division).
Due to limited fields in Vancouver, we do not have weekend access to Hamber in the fall. Games will not be scheduled at Hamber.
Games will be scheduled on Saturdays, one game per weekend.
(Game schedule to be finalized by Junior Fall League in Sept.)
U8–U10 = quarter-field 60 minute games
U11–U12 = half-field 60 minute games
U13–U14 = full-field 60 minute games
Coaching
Hawks coaches will run each session with a maximum ratio of 1 coach per 15 players, and a qualified head coach leading practices. Coaches will also be present for every game.
Junior Fall Season Fees
U8 – U10 $146*
U11 – U12 $167*
U13 – U14 $167*
* plus Volunteer Bond $50
Uniforms & Equipment
Participants are required to wear a Hawks reversible jersey (U8 – U12) or Hawks senior jersey (U13 – U14).
More information will be distributed before the beginning of the season for participants who do not have a uniform from a previous program, or if players would like to purchase a new jersey or other uniform pieces.
Please ensure each player brings a hockey stick, mouthguard, shinguards and a water bottle.
Field Hockey BC (FHBC) Fees
Hawks members will now be required to register and pay fees directly with FHBC. The FHBC Membership provides your insurance coverage for any sanctioned field hockey activity in BC.
FHBC fees are valid from September 1 to August 31 of each year, and they will be due before you begin any programs.
Proof of FHBC registration will be required in the form of an uploaded copy of the receipt in order to register for all Hawks programs.
FHBC registration is available here: FHBC Online Registration
Vancouver Hawks
Field Hockey Club
Box 18118
2303 West 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6M 2A3