Whether you've never played hockey before, haven't picked up a stick in years, or you're looking for a new club after moving to South Wales, it's natural to have questions.

At Gwent Hockey Club, we want your first session to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Here's everything you need to know before you arrive.

Before You Arrive

The first step is simple—get in touch with us through our website or social media.

We'll let you know:

Which training session is right for you
What time to arrive
Where to meet
What to bring
Who will be there to welcome you

You'll never be expected to turn up and figure things out on your own.

Where Do We Train?

Our training sessions take place at Cwmbran Stadium, making us easily accessible from Cwmbran, Newport, Pontypool, Caerphilly, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and across South East Wales.

When you arrive, one of our coaches or club members will greet you and introduce you to the rest of the group.

You won't be left standing on your own—we know how important first impressions are.

What Should I Wear?

Don't worry about buying lots of equipment before your first session.

For your first visit, we recommend:

Comfortable sports clothing
Trainers (or astro shoes if you already have them)
Shin pads if possible
A gum shield (recommended for safety)
A bottle of water

If you don't have a hockey stick, let us know before you arrive. We may be able to lend you one for your first session.

What Happens During Training?

Every session is designed to be welcoming, enjoyable and suitable for the players attending.

You can expect:

A warm welcome from coaches and teammates
A fun warm-up
Simple skill-based drills
Passing and shooting practice
Small-sided games
Plenty of encouragement

If you're new to hockey, nobody expects you to know all the rules or techniques straight away.

Our experienced players are always happy to offer advice and answer questions.

Everyone was a beginner once.

What If I'm Returning After a Break?

Many of our members come back to hockey after taking time away for university, work, family or injury.

You won't be the only one wondering if you've "still got it."

The good news?

Hockey skills come back surprisingly quickly, and you'll soon find yourself enjoying the game again.

Whether you've been away for two years or twenty, you'll receive exactly the same warm welcome.

Will I Need to Be Really Fit?

Not at all.

You don't need to be at peak fitness before joining.

Training is designed to help you improve over time, whatever your starting point.

Many members join because they want to become more active, improve their fitness or simply enjoy exercising as part of a team.

Come as you are—we'll help you build from there.

Is It Friendly?

Without a doubt.

One of the things our members mention most often is how welcoming Gwent Hockey Club is.

We pride ourselves on being a family club where everyone feels included, whether you're joining on your own, with friends or as a family.

Before long, you'll know names, share a few laughs and start feeling like part of the Orange Army.

What Happens After Training?

The final whistle doesn't always mean the end of the evening.

Many of our members stay behind for a chat, and throughout the season we organise socials, fundraising events, Club Day, awards evenings and other opportunities to get to know your teammates away from the pitch.

Joining Gwent Hockey Club means becoming part of a community, not just a team.

Ready to Give Hockey a Go?

Whether you're looking for a junior hockey club, adult hockey in South Wales, or simply want to try something new, we'd love to welcome you to Gwent Hockey Club.

Come along to a training session, meet our members and experience what makes our club so special.

Your first session could be the start of something amazing.

We can't wait to meet you.