Goalkeepers in Junior Hockey
The Management Committee of the Association has carefully considered the issue of goalkeeping in junior hockey.
In reaching its decision the Committee has considered past statements by the FIH concerning the use of protective equipment and in particular the statement that "The HRB asks all National Associations who can afford to enforce the wearing of permitted protective clothing to do so. It is particularly important that young people taking up hockey, and their coaches, are aware of the potential dangers and what they can wear to reduce them.". The Committee also gave careful consideration to the legal advice regarding the application of the international rules within England. It has noted the statement by England Hockey.
Accordingly the Committee has made the following decisions which will be incorporated within the Southern Counties Hockey Association Child Protection Guidelines and will apply to all matches where all, or a substantial proportion of, players are under 18 at the competition eligibility date.
a) Managers and Coaches of Southern Counties junior representative sides must always play with a fully equipped goalkeeper.
b) Within the Southern Counties all junior competition rules are amended to state – "each team must at all times have a fully equipped goalkeeper on the field."
c) All junior league organisers in the Southern Counties must include in their rules the requirement that each team shall at all times have a fully equipped goalkeeper on the field.
d) Affiliated counties are advised to instruct Managers and Coaches of junior county teams that they must always play with a fully equipped goalkeeper.
e) Advises counties to instruct all affiliated schools that all school matches must be played with fully equipped goalkeepers.
f) Advises managers and coaches of junior teams playing matches not covered by the above rulings to always play with a fully equipped goalkeeper.
In addition to the above it should be noted that the Mini Hockey rules issued by England Hockey require that each team must have a fully equipped goalkeeper on the pitch at all times.