Team Bath Buccaneers' Community Outreach Programme has been highly successful, now delivering hockey to 11 local schools. The project aims to provide hockey coaching to children in state schools across the BANES area, who may not have prior exposure to the sport.
Our Community Coach, Lou, runs sessions during term time within individual schools' P.E. classes in line with the curriculum and after-school clubs, offering further opportunities for children to discover hockey. In addition TBBHC has held Primary School Taster Day Festivals at the University, which have been very successful.
Before Easter 2025, Lou coached 400-440 children weekly, visiting different schools each day, often using playgrounds due to limited access to astroturf pitches.
Funded by local businessman David Medlock, this initiative has successfully increased state school children's participation within TBBHC, which in turn gives them access to further their hockey.
Click on the link below to hear first-hand what Community Coach Lou has to say.
Executive Headteacher at Oldfield Park Schools in Bath, Dave Goucher, has described the impact of the Team Bath Buccaneers Community Outreach programme; "At OPJ we have been really pleased and privileged to access the Bath Buccaneers Hockey Outreach Programme since the start of this academic year. This has consisted of an afternoon a week of curriculum and extra-curricular hockey being delivered by Bath Buccaneers coaches (Laura and, more recently, Lou). The two 45-minute curriculum PE sessions have focussed upon developing basic and key skills, small games and, moreover, promoting enjoyment. Every child at OPJ, circa 240, has had four of these sessions, as it has been delivered in a round robin way across all year groups Y3-Y6 through a term. Indeed, spreading the love for hockey and the benefits of the sport has been paramount - no mean feat given that the sessions take place on a rather bumpy playground with some rather antique equipment!
With regards to extra-curricular hockey opportunities, it has been great to have an extra pair of hands to support the OPJS Hockey Club and for the team to have access to some great coaching - as opposed to me! Not only has the skill level, game management and quality improved, but also enabled the club to be open to Year 3 children, thus boosting numbers further. All in all, a great result all round!
Finally, one of the other benefits of the programme has been the opportunity to participate in the Bath Buccaneers Festivals. Indeed, OPJS thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas Festival and it was great for the U10 and U12 teams pit their wits against more accomplished opposition as well as playing on astro - some children for the first time! We are looking forward to participating in the next one as well as the BANES 6-a-side tournament next term.
Thank you to Keith, Lou, Laura as well as all at Bath Buccaneers for this great opportunity and we are looking forward to benefitting from it for the rest of this academic year as well as next year." - Dave Goucher
Mark Gunning, PE Lead for The Palladian Trust “This is a huge success, you are trailblazing the way for other clubs in Bath to follow”.
Within our immediate catchment are two universities, The University of Bath (over 22,000 students and staff) and Bath Spa University (over 8,000 students and staff); over 80 primary schools; over 20 secondary schools; and around 10 fee-paying schools.
Bath’s population is around 105,000 with 66.9% of it’s residents aged between 18–64, a third of whom are educated to university level or above. 62% of Bath’s residents are in the ABC1 demographic.
In contrast, there are many families who aren’t as privileged who may not have access or the means to afford extracurricular activities. This is where TBBHC has been helping for almost two years with their School Outreach Programme
England Hockey states that, “Hockey is one of the most gender-equitable team sports and is fun, fast, safe and exciting. Multiple skills are developed whilst playing – physical competence (such as balance, coordination, agility and dexterity) and also wider personal skills (such as teamwork, communication, respect, discipline, fairness and pride).”
As a club we are wholly committed to sharing our skill and experience with the wider community and doing our part in inspiring and developing the next generation of hockey players.
By supporting schools with experienced coaches and equipment, we can encourage greater participation in the sport, upskill teachers and invest further in our community and future sportsmen and sportswomen.
Ultimately, the aim is for every child to have fun whilst learning and developing core skills
A three year plan was conceived to enter primary schools and target year groups 4 & 5 with a view to increase participation and retention of young players as they enter secondary school at year 7.
The plan is financed by local entrepreneur David Medlock and ‘ProFin’ and has funds for one coach to enter schools and deliver hockey coaching within the curriculum or as an after or pre-school club.
Financially the medium-term aim is to by the end of year two have the schools financially engaged with the programme so that by the end of year three the programme is self-funding with an objective of securing secondary finance to sponsor a second coach and expand the programme. Along with David Medlock’s support the programme benefits from the sponsorship of John Moore Sports and Rob Moore.
Well established within the TBBHC community we are very lucky to have Louise Stossich. Louise is passionate about sport and as a qualified hockey coach believes strongly in the opportunities TBBHC are offering children from a state school background. Louise is proving to be everything needed and has all the qualities, drive and determination to ensure this programme is a huge success.
Keeping the momentum whilst on a limiting budget – the demand for the programme is high.
Ensuring the coach equipment supply is maintained. We never have enough sticks.
Resourcing volunteers for taster events at TBB. Once again finance restricts what we can do.
Supporting Ensuring the community coach has constant support from TBB.
Increasing our social media presence – This initiative is unrecognised within Bath and gaining media interest is a struggle. We have the wrong shaped ball !!
None of this would be possible without the support from the following people and companies
We look forward to 2025/26 academic yearand welcome any interest to support orengage with the programme. Contact KeithWalters, Director of Hockey TBBHC viawww.teambathbuccaneers.co.uk
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