Kilkenny Hockey

Kids Hockey

Kids hockey has been in existence in Kilkenny for over 15 years. Some of those who have started with this group have played for the senior side and also for Leinster.

However, the main emphasis is on fun. Kids are not expected to become world beaters. They are expected to explore new games and be active. Hockey is a non contact field sport and some children who are intimdated by the more physical aspects of soccer and hurling, enjoy the freedom they have in hockey. As well as this, it is a chance to meet other children from around the city and make new friends.

Most Sundays through the months from September to April each year, boys and girls between 8 and 14 join in for fun and exercise in the weekly Kids Hockey hour at Scanlan Park sports complex at Loughboy, Kilkenny. For an hour from 11.30 am to 12.30 am, they get to play in a non competitive environment.

We try to have one or two competitions each year for them to test themselves against kids from elsewhere and groups in Waterford, Carlow and Naas have provided opposition for us in recent years.

Last year, we fielded an U-14 boys team in the Bailey Cup in Dublin and while we did not bring home the trophy this time, the boys performed well against sides that play competive hockey on a regular basis. So we must be doing something right.

The group is led by a number of fathers and mothers whose competitive hockey days have past but who want to pass on their love of the games to the children. All the parents have played either Mens or Ladies hockey in the past and have a knowledge of the game. Sticks are provided for any child who wants to try a hand at the game. We recommend that gum shields be worn. This is more to protect a child from bumping into another than from any injury that might happen from the equipment.

If you are interested, please phone Donal Cadogan at 056 - 7765690 or Walter Holohan at 056 - 7763762 in the evenings.