CITY of York Hockey Club are again teaming up with England Hockey to deliver a second instalment of the youth initiative Hockey Heroes.

Among the largest hockey clubs in the north of England, City of York are looking to build on the success of their first course in the autumn.

It is a six-week programme aimed at five to eight-year-olds to give them a fun and welcoming introduction to the sport.

Those that enrol will receive a Hockey Heroes pack including two plastic hockey sticks, a ball, a personalised shirt and stickers. The two sticks enable parents and siblings to practise with the ‘heroes’ at home. The programme costs £32 and consists of six one-hour sessions starting at 6pm Friday, January 31 at Huntington School all-weather pitch, with a half-term break.

As a sport, hockey is gender-balanced and suitable for people of all shapes and sizes. It is also a family sport as all ages can play together, with family members often playing together - “Although it isn’t long before the kids are promoted to higher teams showing their parents how it is done,” says Paul Rowntree, the club’s beginners’ coach.

Six club members have been trained by England Hockey to deliver the new initiative. The club is also delivering an adapted programme in primary schools.

Aimed at beginners, this course focuses on helping children develop basic hockey skills such as dribbling, passing and goalscoring as well as teamwork, communication, perseverance and respect.

Rowntree added: “Not only is the course fun, but the children will make new friends who they can join the juniors section of the club with, should they wish to continue with the sport.”

For further information and to sign up, see hockeyheroes.co.uk.

To find out more about the club, visit cityofyorkhc.co.uk or email beginners@cityofyork.co.uk.