How to Join Saffron Walden Hockey Club

Updated

Saffron Walden Hockey Club welcomes new, returning and experienced players of all ages and abilities. To join, use the pathway that matches you: "Join the Club" for adults and general membership, or "Join our Juniors" for younger players. Both options are available from the club's homepage and main navigation. Before you commit, check the Membership Fees page under the club section, and use the Committee and contacts page if you have questions about which team or pathway fits you.

Choose your joining pathway

The club separates its sign-up routes, so start by identifying which one applies to you.

Your situation Where to start What to expect
Adult new to hockey, returning, or experienced "Join the Club" General club membership and adult team entry
Parent signing up a child "Join our Juniors" Junior section with its own coaching framework
Unsure which team suits your level "Committee and contacts" Ask before joining so you land in the right group
Wants casual or social play "Social Hockey" page Non-league playing option

The club describes itself as friendly and inclusive with a family atmosphere, but also competitive, with teams "striving to perform at their best." That means the right entry point depends on whether you want structured league hockey or a more social game.

Step-by-step: joining as an adult

  1. Open the club website at saffronwaldenhockey.co.uk.
  2. Select "Join the Club" from the homepage or the "JOIN US" navigation area. This opens the membership sign-up route.
  3. Review Membership Fees first, listed under the "Our Club" section, so you know the cost before completing any form.
  4. Check team options if you want competitive hockey. The Adults menu lists Men's teams M1–M8 and Women's teams W1–W6, plus a Training page. Higher-numbered teams generally suit newer or more social players, but confirm with a contact rather than assuming.
  5. Submit the join form and wait for confirmation from the club.
  6. Verify your place by checking that you receive club communications and are assigned to a training group or team.

Expected result: you appear on the club's membership list and are contacted about training times and team placement.

Step-by-step: joining as a junior

  1. Select "Join our Juniors" from the homepage.
  2. Read the Juniors section, which includes a coaching framework describing how young players progress.
  3. Complete the junior sign-up linked from that page.
  4. Confirm start details with the club, since junior sessions follow their own schedule separate from adult training.

The club also runs a Summer Camp (listed for 25–26 August 2026), which is a low-commitment way to try the junior setup before full membership.

What to check before you join

  • Fees: the Membership Fees page is the authoritative source; the site does not publish prices on the homepage, so read that page rather than relying on secondhand figures.
  • Kit: the club names a kit supplier under "Club Kit Supplier." Check this before buying gear elsewhere.
  • Facilities: "Book our facilities" is available if you need pitch or clubhouse hire separately from membership.
  • Accreditation: the club displays ClubMark and England Hockey Talent Centre status, which are useful signals of a structured, governed setup.

Common sticking points

  • Picking the wrong pathway: adults who click the junior route (or vice versa) will fill in the wrong form. Use the table above first.
  • Skipping the fees page: joining without reading Membership Fees can lead to surprise costs at confirmation.
  • Assuming a team level: the M1–M8 and W1–W6 labels don't explain ability levels on the homepage. Ask via Committee and contacts if you're unsure where you'd fit.
  • Waiting for a reply before trying hockey: the club also promotes Social Hockey, which is a practical way to meet members and get guidance on the right team while your membership is processed.

If anything is unclear, the Committee and contacts page lists the people responsible for membership and umpiring, and is the fastest route to a direct answer.