SSHA
Suffolk Schools and Youth Hockey Association (SSHA) is an entirely voluntary body that exists to provide a structure for and support to junior hockey in the County's schools and hockey clubs.
SSHA is primarily self-funded through charges made to players but we are also very thankful to be supported by a grant from the Suffolk School Sports Association.
SSHA organises a variety of competitions for Youth Hockey. Competitions are both purely in-County and the County round of the National competitions and range in age from the u10 and u12 In2 Hockey for clubs and u11 and u13 In2 Schools competitions through to u14 - u18 Clubs and schools competitions in both Indoor and Outdoor hockey. SSHA also runs a highly successful 'Emerging Schools' competition which provides a competitive framework for schools where hockey is not a priority sport.
SSHA is also the body responsible for running Representative Hockey for the County of Suffolk. In support of the wider national Single System for developing young hockey players we run Junior Development Centres (JDC) and Junior Academy Centres (JAC). JDC's provide the first step on the single system for players who are looking for a bit more or a bit of different coaching than they get at school or their club. JAC is the next step up and results in players being selected to represent Suffolk at county level. As part of the JAC cycle players may represent Suffolk in an inter County tournament across the East of England, competing with JACs from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and occasionally, Kent.
The SSHA runs 10 representative squads from u13 - u17 Girls and Boys. Players from JAC may then be nominated to Junior Regional Performance Centres to pursue their playing careers (see Single System).
SSHA seeks to employ the best coaches available in our area to push and develop players and to this end provides a coaching framework and continuing professional development opportunities to coaches (see coaching).
Mark Dudley
Chairman