Do you want to be part of the action and get pitch-side for the EuroHockey Championships at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in August?

EuroHockey is currently recruiting ball patrol groups for the event. Ball Patrol is not only an essential part of a smooth running match, but it’s a great opportunity for young people to experience a demanding but rewarding volunteer role at an exciting and high profile hockey event – the biggest in this country since the Olympic Games.

Recruitment

All ball patrollers must be between the ages of 16 and 21 in August 2015. Ball patrol groups can come from a club, school or other organisation. Ball patrollers must be fit and have a good level of knowledge of hockey, and be able to follow play, understand umpires’ decisions and concentrate on a match.
Any group which includes Under 18s must also have an adult leader who will be responsible for the pastoral care of the ball patrollers during the selection and training period. England Hockey will appoint Ball Patrol Team Leaders to oversee and manage the ball patrollers at the EuroHockey Championships.

If you want to apply, details on how to do that and an application form are below.

What’s required?

We are looking for groups of eight ball patrollers. Interested groups will be asked to attend a number of assessment and training sessions in advance of the EuroHockey Championships. These will be held in conjunction with high profile England Hockey events and international training matches.

Groups can consist of more than eight ball patrollers for the assessment phase, but each group will be reduced to eight members for their team for the EuroHockey Championships.

During the Championships ball patrollers from two groups will make up a ball patrol team of twelve who will be on duty for that session (2 or 3 matches). Each match needs eight ball patrollers.

Groups and ball patrollers need to be available for at least fourteen of the eighteen sessions during the event. Selected groups will be appointed to nine sessions.

Assessment Phase

Groups will have the opportunity to practice and be assessed at matches and tournaments at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park during April and May including the matches/tournaments below.

Attendance at a minimum of one assessment day will be required:

Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 April – NOW: Pensions Men’s Hockey League finals
Tuesday 14 April – Nations Cup Great Britain v Germany (Men)
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 April – Investec Women’s Hockey League finals
Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 April – Boys’ U18 Schools semi finals & final
Saturday 25 April – Investec Women’s Cup finals
Sunday 26 April & Monday 27 April – Investec Private Bank Internationals – Great Britain v Japan
Saturday 02 May – NOW: Pensions Men’s Cup finals

Groups will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Personal organisation – punctuality, focus
• Ball Patrolling ability
• Presentation; in performance and in person
• Understanding of hockey
• Concentration
• Reaction, speed, agility and movement
• Team work; both on and off the pitch

A briefing pack and presentation will be supplied to support all interested groups to prepare for their assessment.

Please note – England Hockey reserves the right to form new groups of eight from those ball patrollers selected following the assessment phase.

Training Phase

Successful groups will need to undertake further training which will be done at events in May, June and July. These may be at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre or other venues in Greater London. It is anticipated that this will require attendance at three matches. Final details of training days will be confirmed to groups who register their interest.
Selected groups will need to supply a short CV for the members of their group.

Support Requirements

Groups will be responsible for the following:

• All travel arrangements and associated costs to attend any assessment and training matches/events.
• Providing a suitable uniform for ball patrollers for any practice matches – this may be your club or school kit or a similar colour shirt.
• An adult team leader (for groups including U18s) who will take responsibility for the group and will be present at all assessment and training matches, including the EuroHockey Championships.
• If selected, travel to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre for the EuroHockey Championships.

England Hockey will provide uniform and food for the EuroHockey Championships.

How to Get Involved

To register your groups interest please complete the short registration form at www.surveymonkey.com/s/eurohockey-ballpatrol
Once registered you will be sent the ball patrol briefing document to support your preparation and training.

We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any queries or require any additional information please contact [email protected]