Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or ability. We are an inclusive, family-friendly club with junior teams from Under 6 through to Under 18, ten men’s teams, six women’s teams, mixed and masters hockey, and social and beginner programmes. Whether you are picking up a stick for the first time, returning after a break, or looking to play at national league level, there is a place for you at Holcombe.

Absolutely. Complete beginners are welcome at every age. Juniors can start in our entry-level groups, while adults who are new to the game or returning after time away can join our beginner-friendly sessions, which are relaxed, social and focused on fun rather than competition.

Yes. New players are welcome to come along and try a taster session before joining. Contact us in advance so we know to expect you and can point you to the right group for your age and experience.

Visit our Get Involved page or email us at [email protected]. For juniors, a parent or guardian will need to complete the registration, including emergency contact and medical information.

Yes, we regularly welcome players relocating to Medway and Kent. If you played league hockey elsewhere, your registration on England Hockey’s Game Management System (GMS) will need to be transferred to Holcombe, which we can help arrange.

Children can join from around age 4 to 5 in our Under 6 group. Junior age groups run from U6 up to U18 and are based on school year, in line with England Hockey guidelines. Full details are on our Juniors page.

Age groups are organised by school year, for example U6 (Reception and Year 1), U8 (Years 2 and 3), U10 (Years 4 and 5), U12 (Years 6 and 7), U14 (Years 8 and 9) and U16 (Years 10 and 11). If you are unsure which group your child belongs in, just ask and we will place them correctly.

For the youngest age groups (U6, U8, U10 and U12), a parent or guardian must remain at the club for the duration of the session. The clubhouse is open during training, serving hot and cold drinks and snacks, so you can watch in comfort.

Yes. We aim to give every junior the opportunity to play in matches and festivals appropriate to their age and development. Selection for representative and championship squads is based on ability, but participation opportunities are provided for all.

Holcombe is an England Hockey accredited Talent Centre and Talent Academy, providing a clear pathway for ambitious juniors. Promising players can progress through our junior squads into the England Hockey Talent System, and many of our home-grown juniors have gone on to play senior national league hockey. Visit our Talent Academy page to find out more.

Yes, older juniors who are ready can be selected for senior teams, subject to England Hockey’s age regulations and safeguarding requirements. This is a great development step for our stronger young players.

Membership fees vary by category (junior, student, senior, veteran, goalkeeper and non-playing supporter) and are set at the start of each season. Junior training sessions are paid per session via the Teamo app. Please contact us for the current fees.

Yes, senior players pay a match fee for each game they play, which contributes towards pitch hire, umpires and match teas.

We never want cost to stop anyone playing hockey. Payment plans are available, and we will always have a confidential conversation about options for families who need support. Contact our membership secretary to discuss.

All players competing in league matches or England Hockey competitions must be registered on England Hockey’s Game Management System (GMS), and England Hockey’s fees apply. We will guide you through this as part of joining.

The club uses the Teamo app for membership payments, junior session fees, match fees, availability and team communications. You will be invited to join Teamo when you register.

To begin, you only need comfortable sports clothing, trainers, shin pads, a mouthguard (gum shield) and a water bottle. Shin pads and a properly fitted mouthguard are compulsory for all players. The club can lend sticks to beginners while you decide whether to buy your own.

Clean trainers are fine for your first sessions. If you play regularly, astro or hockey shoes are a worthwhile investment, as they grip artificial surfaces better and offer more protection. Studded football boots and metal studs are not suitable for our pitches.

Stick length depends on height, and weight is largely personal preference. For juniors, a stick that reaches roughly to the hip bone is a good guide. Our coaches are happy to advise, and it is worth trying club sticks in a few sizes before buying.

Yes. All players must wear a mouthguard for training and matches. Boil-and-bite guards are inexpensive and available from sports shops, or you can have one custom fitted by a dentist.

Players defending penalty corners may wear protective face masks, and we recommend that regular defenders have their own. Full goalkeeping kit (helmet, pads, kickers and body protection) is provided by the club for juniors and for players trying the position, so you do not need to buy your own to give goalkeeping a go.

Playing shirts, socks and other club-branded kit are available through our official kit supplier. See the kit sections of our Juniors and Seniors pages for details. For training, any suitable sportswear is fine.

All training takes place at Holcombe Park, Curtis Way, Rochester, ME1 2TQ. Junior sessions run mainly on Sunday mornings, with additional weekday evening sessions for older age groups. Senior teams train on weekday evenings. Current session days and times are published on our Juniors and Seniors pages.

League matches are played on Saturdays for senior teams, with some junior fixtures and festivals on Sundays. Our men’s and women’s first teams play in the England Hockey Leagues, and matches at Holcombe Park are free for spectators to watch. See our Fixtures page for upcoming games.

The outdoor league season runs from September to late March or April, with a mid-winter break around Christmas. Pre-season training starts in the summer, and we also offer summer hockey, camps and social sessions, so there is hockey available all year round.

Selection is managed by our captains and coaches based on training attendance, availability and ability, with the aim of giving everyone regular hockey at the right level. Availability is set through Teamo, and selections are announced during the week before each match. With teams at every standard, we can offer competitive hockey for all.

Our all-weather pitches mean hockey goes ahead in most conditions, including rain. Sessions and matches are only cancelled for unsafe conditions such as frozen or snow-covered pitches, lightning or dangerously high winds. Any cancellations are communicated via Teamo and club social media, so please check before travelling.

Outdoor hockey is the traditional 11-a-side game on a full pitch. Indoor hockey is a faster 6-a-side version played in sports halls during the winter, with sideboards and no hitting. Some of our squads compete in indoor competitions during the winter break; ask your coach or captain if you are interested.

Holcombe Park, Curtis Way, Rochester, Kent, ME1 2TQ. We have free parking on site.

We have two floodlit all-weather pitches, including a water-based pitch of national league standard, plus a clubhouse with changing rooms, a bar serving hot and cold drinks and food on match days, and a terrace overlooking the main pitch for spectators. Find out more on our Facilities page.

Yes, spectators are always welcome. Watching our men’s and women’s first teams take on some of the best clubs in the country is a great day out, and the clubhouse is open on match days.

The clubhouse can be hired for private functions and events. Contact the club for availability and pricing.

Yes. We are a sociable club and run events throughout the season, including end-of-season awards, quiz nights, family days and junior presentations. Keep an eye on Teamo and our social channels for what is coming up.

The welfare and safeguarding of our players is of paramount importance. We follow England Hockey’s safeguarding policies, all junior coaches and team managers hold DBS checks and appropriate qualifications, and we have designated Welfare Officers. Juniors must not enter the pitch area unless a coach is present. See our Safeguarding page for full details.

Contact our Club Welfare Officer, whose details are on our Safeguarding page. Concerns can also be raised with England Hockey directly. All concerns are treated seriously and confidentially.

We follow England Hockey guidance on photography and filming of juniors. Parents consent (or decline consent) to photography at registration, and anyone taking photos at junior events may be asked to confirm who they are photographing.

Yes. Our coaching team includes England Hockey qualified coaches at every level, from beginner groups through to our national league squads, supported by current and former international players within the club.

Definitely. Clubs run on volunteers, and there are roles for everyone: team managers, umpires, match-day helpers, first aiders, committee members, sponsors and supporters. Non-playing social membership is also available if you simply want to be part of the club. Visit our Volunteer page to find out more.

We actively support members who want to qualify as umpires or coaches, including funding courses in many cases. Speak to our umpiring liaison or Directors of Junior Hockey to find out about upcoming England Hockey courses.

Yes, we offer a range of sponsorship packages, from pitch-side boards and match sponsorship to team kit and junior programme support. See our Sponsorship page or contact the club to discuss opportunities.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, check the News section of the website, and make sure you are set up on Teamo, which is our main channel for team and club communications.