Swindon Hockey Club offers various stretch and development opportunities to club members and emerging young leaders. In addition to our player stretch and development, we are also keen to support those wishing to start or develop within the coaching and/or umpiring side of the club.

Coaching
• All members are asked to express interest or otherwise when completing their membership form each year.
• Those expressing an interest go through an induction process where our Coaching Coordinator briefs them on the requirements of the role.
• For those interested in junior coaching, the individual attends the external ‘Coaching Juniors’ workshop. SHC reimburses 50% of the workshop fees immediately, with the remaining 50% reimbursed when the individual has delivered value to the club (usually within six months). The Club Welfare Officer ensures all safeguarding and welfare processes are followed.
• For those interested in senior coaching, the individual shadows either our Coaching Coordinator or one of the club’s paid coaches before completing relevant workshops where appropriate. SHC reimburses 50% of the workshop fees immediately, with the remaining 50% reimbursed when the individual has delivered value to the club (usually within six months). The Club Welfare Officer ensures all safeguarding and welfare processes are followed.
• Both junior and senior coaches benefit from various incentives available, such as reduced match fees if they are playing members.

Umpiring
• All members are asked to express interest or otherwise when completing their membership form each year.
• The Umpiring Secretary directs individuals to online resources available through England Hockey.
• If the individual wishes to gain qualification, they book onto the appropriate course and pay relevant fees. The club reimburses the fees after the individual has been assessed and it has been confirmed that they have passed the course.
• Individuals initially shadow qualified umpires to learn about the requirements and demands of umpiring either senior or junior matches.
• The Umpiring Secretary then finds an appropriate non-senior league game for the individual to umpire to learn in practice: e.g. Badgers/Vixens games, SHC Summer League games, friendlies, with a qualified umpire available to support (i.e. one umpire is qualified and guides the learner in decision making).
• When the individual feels ready, the Umpiring Secretary arranges with the league for an assessment to be completed.
• League game umpires are incentivised through our umpires’ payment policy.