THG Hockey was founded in October 2025 with a simple belief: that young players deserve hockey experiences they genuinely enjoy. The name THG, short for That Hockey Girl, comes from the founder’s daughter and her love of the game, and reflects the family-led, junior-first mindset that shapes everything we do.
Based in Wantage, Oxfordshire, THG Hockey focuses exclusively on junior development. We create environments where young players can be active, confident, and involved, with plenty of time on the ball and coaching that supports learning through play. Our camps and training sessions are about more than just improving skills; they are about helping children enjoy hockey, feel proud of their effort, and leave each session smiling, tired, and keen to come back.
THG Hockey began after seeing a familiar challenge for many families: limited access to structured, sport-focused activity camps during certain school holiday periods. Rather than filling time, we wanted to offer something with real purpose. Camps that give young players the chance to play hockey properly, learn new skills, and enjoy being active in a positive setting.
From the very start, our focus has always been on juniors. Sessions are carefully planned around age groups, usually spanning no more than two school years, so players feel comfortable, safe, and able to learn alongside others at a similar stage. This approach helps create sessions that are enjoyable, inclusive, and genuinely beneficial for young players.
THG Hockey was founded by Chris Hurden, a lifelong hockey player and coach with over 34 years’ playing experience. Chris began playing hockey at the age of seven, represented school first and second teams, and has played club hockey with Bury St Edmunds Hockey Club and Oxford Hawks Hockey Club. He is a FIH Level 1 qualified coach, with a strong passion for junior development.
Camps are supported by a small team of additional adult coaches, often from teaching or club coaching backgrounds, alongside carefully selected junior coaches who are themselves teenage players. This mix helps create a relaxed, relatable environment for younger players, while maintaining clear structure, safety, and high coaching standards.
Everyone involved in THG Hockey shares a genuine interest in helping young players grow in confidence, develop their skills, and enjoy their time on the pitch.
At THG Hockey, coaching is built around fun, game play, and purposeful skill development. We want players to be active, involved, and enjoying themselves, so sessions are designed to minimise waiting time and maximise opportunities to play, experiment, and learn through doing.
We believe enjoyment and development go hand in hand. Players are encouraged to try new skills, make decisions, and learn from mistakes in a supportive environment. Activities are reviewed and adapted to keep sessions engaging, challenging, and suitable for the players involved, helping them grow in confidence and understanding of the game.
Our approach is influenced by the principles promoted by England Hockey and the International Hockey Federation (FIH), ensuring sessions reflect recognised best practice in junior player development without losing the enjoyment that keeps children coming back.
THG Hockey primarily works with players aged 9–11 (Years 5 and 6), although camps and sessions can be delivered for other age groups when appropriate. We welcome players of all experience levels, from those new to hockey to school and club players looking for extra challenge.
Sessions are inclusive by design. Drills are set up so all players stay active and involved, and small-sided games are balanced and adjusted to support positive experiences for everyone. We also work with players aiming to progress in school or club hockey, including those with longer-term ambitions such as sports scholarships.
THG Hockey provides:
These sessions are designed to complement school and club hockey, giving players additional opportunities to develop their skills, confidence, and understanding of the game in focused but enjoyable settings.
THG Hockey is based in Wantage, Oxfordshire, serving players across Oxfordshire and nearby areas of Wiltshire. While we are not formally affiliated with any school, camps make use of high-quality local facilities, including St Hugh’s School astro pitch, with sessions often targeted at specific school communities to create a familiar and supportive environment.
Community is hugely important to us. Our aim is to build camps and sessions that players look forward to attending and that parents recommend to others because their children have had a positive, enjoyable experience.
Player enjoyment and safety sit at the heart of everything we do. Sessions are age-appropriate, well structured, and delivered by coaches who understand how young players learn and develop.
We balance challenge with enjoyment by keeping sessions fast-moving, engaging, and supportive. Players are encouraged to be active, try new things, and enjoy the process, with a relaxed atmosphere that helps them feel confident and included.
Parents should leave confident that their child has been safe, supported, and challenged, while players leave feeling proud of their effort and excited to play again.
THG Hockey aims to continue delivering camps during school holidays while supporting players aspiring towards school, club, scholarship, and county-level hockey.
As THG Hockey grows, one thing will not change: our commitment to small group sizes and high-quality coaching ratios. By typically working with 8-10 players per adult coach (maximum 15), supported by junior coaches, we ensure every player feels seen, heard, and supported as they develop.