The 2024/25 season has returned - which means the return of our THD Phoenix sessions on Sundays. We are excited to introduce a new cohort of children from local schools to our player pathway and to welcome back our returning players.  

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers, coaches, partners, local schools sponsors and donors. Without you, the program would not be possible.

Ahead of the new season, we caught up with THD Phoenix Lead Coach Rémy Oliver - you can read all about it here:

What made you take up coaching for THD Phoenix?

Sport unites! Our community is diverse and, as seen across the country in virtually every hockey club, hockey is perceived as - and indeed is - an exclusive sport. It does not need to be. It can be a force for unity. The sport itself can benefit from the huge talents that are not currently engaged with hockey. 

Why should local schools be involved?

We provide expert coaching and free sessions for pupils and are keen to work with schools and clubs to expand the provision of hockey. The benefits of sport, and team sport in particular, are well known. The attributes of kindness, teamwork and personal improvement are at the centre of everything we do and contribute to making Phoenix players not only strong hockey players but aware and positive members of our community. We are hoping to expand and be able to work with local schools to provide in-school hockey sessions and make hockey a staple of their PE curriculum, with appropriate equipment, staff training and continued support. We have worked with and provided in-school coaching to Dulwich Wood Primary, who won the Southwark Schools Hockey games so we have a track record of making meaningful impacts. We also work in close collaboration with Dulwich College, and have teachers and educational expertise which makes collaborating that bit easier! 

What does a typical THD Phoenix session involve?

We provide structured and supervised ‘free time’ at the start of each session for the children (from a range of different local primary schools) to talk, share, play and practice the things they want. This helps involve the children in naturally setting up a collaborative and supportive environment for the sessions. We always look at skill and technique and work hard to improve these before finishing off each session with gameplay. Games and game-play give the children a chance to use what they have learned. I really cannot emphasise enough: that kindness, teamwork and personal improvement underpin everything that we do. 

What progress have you seen in the kids progressing through the pathway?

We have just completed the first two years of Phoenix and have, as it stands, 12 children signed up to join the main club with THD Juniors. These children will continue to play and train on Sundays and be full club members. We are hugely proud of all of them and know that they are all ready to make positive contributions to their new teams – we’re pretty sure that a few of the players will even share some advice and skills with their more experienced new teammates!

Aims for next season and beyond?

To keep improving! To expand the opportunities for people to have quality coaching and a clear pathway to a life-changing and lasting engagement with the game.

There is such an opportunity, not just in our local community but across the whole country, to engage with people and get them to play hockey regularly. The numerous benefits to all involved are clear; to share and spread these would be a pleasure. 

This is a blueprint that can be applied across London and nationally for other clubs, schools and their communities to use in their journey to share the benefits that hockey brings to a wider and more diverse group of people. 

Seeing the game’s demographics shift over the next ten years and enjoying the increased success – both for the individuals on their journeys and the sport locally and nationally. 

Have the first Phoenix England age-group player!

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More info on our THD Player pathway can be found here. For more information or to find out you can get involved or if your business can help please contact: Remy.Oliver@thehockeyclub.co.uk