FAQ - New members
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6. FAQ - New members


Who do I contact if I want to join?
A member of our recruitment team can contact you by telephone or email when it is convenient for you; please register your interest and we will get back to you -REGISTER HERE

What can I expect from my first session?
Our sessions begin with stretching and warm up exercises, followed by a mixture of fitness and gameplay exercises in male or female squads.

Do you take beginners?
Yes. The more the merrier.

What should I wear?
You should wear comfortable and weather appropriate clothing that would be suitable for a gym workout. We would recommended that you wear hockey or football trainers (with Astro studs) and shin pads for protection, however we may be able supply spare shin guards to borrow if you let us know in advance. It is highly advisable to purchase a mouth guard for protection whilst playing hockey.

How much does it cost?
We offer the first five sessions FREE for new players for you to decide if you want to join our club for the season. Training is also FREE once you become a member. We are also one of the cheapest clubs in the Surrey and Sussex area with annual membership costs of just £95 (Half the cost for many clubs) and match fees at only £10.

Can I bring someone to watch/wait for me?
Yes, we have pitch-side seating and we are happy for you to bring anyone along to watch, wait or join-in.

Do you have parking?
The Horley Clubhouse (RH6 8BG) has parking for c. 30 vehicles. The pitch at Worth School has parking close to the astroturf pitch. There is plenty of parking at Copthorne Prep School.

What will my first session be like?
If you have registered for contact with a member of our recruitment team, they will ensure that you have all the details to attend the first session, greet you when you arrive and introduce you to the relevant squad captains/members prior to the session.

Are there sessions for beginners?
We have been part of the 'Back to Hockey' programmed, which is aimed at beginners, for the past 4 seasons and these sessions are usually held in August.

Can I take part if I’ve never played before?
Absolutely, Yes! If you are brand new to hockey we would look to assign a squad member 'buddy' for your sessions to provide additional support and coaching throughout the sessions.

Are there any other benefits from Club Membership?
Yes! Your annual club membership also brings a number of benefits as it entitles you to play both cricket and squash without the need for a separate membership fee. Squash courts can also be booked at the very competitive rate. You will also be entitled to discounted drinks at the club bar (overlooking the picturesque cricket ground) and access to year-round social events.

As a new player would I have the opportunity to play competitively for one of the teams?
We currently have three men's teams and one ladies' team playing regular league fixtures throughout the season, and a second ladies team is planned to provide non-league matches. All 5 teams have opportunities for new players to join and strengthen the teams as they push for promotion.

Due to family / work / other commitments I cannot play or train every week – is that a problem?
No! We understand that for some of our members playing and training every week can be difficult due to other commitments. As we are based next to Gatwick Airport we know that shift work can make things difficult but we will always try to ensure that you enjoy your hockey as much as possible when you can play. We are also committed to being a family friendly club with many of our members having partners that also play for the club. Where possible we structure our home games with back-to-back fixtures (enabling both partners to play) and our family friendly clubhouse has plenty of outside space for children to enjoy (photo).

I am really interested in getting more involved with hockey but cannot play competitively – are there any opportunities to volunteer with other aspects of the club?

  • We are always looking for volunteers who can help us with:
  • Umpiring - the club will always help arrange and pay for formal England Hockey training and signpost to other support such as the EH Online Training Hockey Hub. We can also help mentor new umpires with opportunities for shadowing by other experienced umpires.
  • Coaching – The Club is happy to help develop anyone with a coaching interest, up to and including formal England Hockey training.
  • Social Media Updates / Match Reports – we want to ensure the club has a fresh and vibrant presence on social media and we welcome any assistance from volunteers who can help to keep this updated e.g. by writing articles, match reports, tweets etc.