We’re all aware our modern world has changed the daily struggle to keep children active. We have mobile phones, online gaming and streaming platforms. So, in this uphill battle, how do we overcome it? Quite simply; hockey.
In this blog, we’re going to breakdown the array of benefits your children can experience playing the sport, and just why the Grays Hockey 25/26 Range can help that initial step into the game and support each player along their journey. At the bottom of the blog, we’ll leave a link to access our suggested collection of items, an ideal starter kit for any child playing hockey!
1. Active Players, Happier Children
Taking up hockey doesn’t just help to create good players for the sport - it builds happier, healthier and more confident personalities across all age groups. The fast-paced nature of the game keeps children constantly moving, which in turn positively impacts their fitness, strength and stamina while burning off energy in the best possible way. That surge in heart rate doesn’t just power their bodies, it fuels their minds too - improving memory, creativity and teamwork, along with reducing anxiety and stress. Physically, regular participation can significantly lower the risk of leading UK issues for children; such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and asthma.
Of course, putting in the yards on the pitch requires adequate clothing - and we’ve got you covered. The Grays Hockey clothing range is strategically designed to keep players comfortable throughout the various demands of hockey. Engineered to withstand all weather conditions - the breathable, temperature regulating, flexible and durable fit of the range make it an ideal starting point for any child’s introduction to hockey. I may be biased in writing this, but the kit looks pretty slick too...!
2. A Sport Built On Speed & Stamina
Hockey as a sport relies heavily on consistent energy, intensity and an almost non-stop action. How do players maintain such activity? Rolling substitutions. Unlike other sports, players can give everything in short, explosive bursts and then roll off for a few minutes to recover - then they get straight back into the action, keeping the match tempo high from first whistle to the last. The result? Exceptional fitness. The average hockey player covers close to six miles in a 70-minute match and performs around 30 explosive sprints, nearly three times more than the average footballer - those sprints are often longer too... It’s no surprise that hockey athletes dominate endurance testing such as the bleep test, with world records showing 4 of the top 10 men are hockey players, and 3 of the top 5 women were too! Put simply, hockey challenges children to build outstanding stamina, speed and resilience – running further and for longer than most team sports.
Covering that kind of distance requires footwear built specifically for the sport. Now, we aren’t all blessed with playing on professional, water-based pitches and we know how frustrating the sand-based pitches can be... Combine that with the rapid directional changes, sudden acceleration and low playing stance, these all-place unique stresses on young athletes’ feet and joints. Step up, the Grays Hockey Shoe Range. With 3 different options, all available in a wide range of junior sizes - we're adamant there’s a shoe perfectly designed to support your child’s first step in the game, whilst offering protection to their ever-growing feet! Lightweight yet durable, with advance grip patterns for incredible traction, and ultimate comfort in our responsive cushioning for repeated sprints – there's a genuine reason why our top international athletes have worn our shoes at the Olympics, Euros, World Cups and top domestic leagues. Which will it be? The Grays Hockey AeroCage X, Grays Hockey Raid 2.0 or the Grays Hockey Stealth hockey shoes? Hit the links to read a more in-depth explanation of each shoe or head to our recent blog ‘Our Guide To The Best Grays Hockey Shoes’.
3. A Wider Sense Of Belonging
Hockey is a fast, end-to-end team sport that relies on concentration, decision-making and hand-eye coordination pretty much every single second on the pitch. Beyond the speed and skill, a successful team and player is built on something far more important - genuine teamwork. Every player has a role within the team, and success depends on trust, communication and collective effort – whether you’re attacking or defending, each player has a pivotal role in the way the team execute their play.
In hockey, defending starts from the front. Teams press together, they track together and ultimately recover together. If a goal is conceded, it’s not on one player’s responsibility, it’s shared. The same goes for scoring and winning. Children quickly learn accountability, resilience and how the art of teamwork whilst supporting one another under pressure. Offering a real sense of unity, belonging and shared achievement is what keeps them coming back, fitter and more motivated every week – I’d argue that you not only grow as a player, but as a person when you’re surrounded by your teammates week in, week out (some of my teammates are my closest friends, knowing each other for nearly 20 years..!)
4. Developing A Unique Skillset
Hockey is a tactical, fast-thinking sport that challenges players to think and react as quickly as they move - with decisions often made simultaneously. Children learn to understand team strategy, recognise opportunities, and adapt their own game to outmanoeuvre opponents – all building game intelligence, self-awareness and technical ability. The sport is also exceptional for hand–eye coordination, balance and agility, skills that benefit children far beyond the pitch.
Every position demands a unique skill set, and the right equipment can elevate those strengths even further. Selecting the correct stick is crucial to unlocking a player’s full potential. The Grays Hockey Junior Stick Range offers seven distinct bow profiles each engineered to support a specific style of play. Varying from low bows such as the PB & JB range, designed for advanced 3D skills, unrivalled hitting power and drag flicking, to straighter bows such as the DB, DB+, MB & UB range that enhance control, passing and all-round consistency across the core skills. By matching stick design to playing style, young athletes can maximise touch, power and precision - allowing them to develop faster, play smarter and perform with sheer confidence. We strongly recommend reading our ever-popular blog designed to help you make the best decision before purchasing a stick: ‘Which Grays Hockey Stick Shall I Buy?’ - it’s worth the read, but feel free to reach out to us with any outstanding questions!
5. A Hockey Community Worth Investing In
Joining a hockey club is more than signing up for a sport, it’s becoming part of a community that, in many cases, becomes a big part of your life. Hockey is one of the few truly inclusive team sports where men and women play on equal regard, and it’s common to see entire families involved – grandparents, parents, children, siblings all sharing the same club colours, and sometimes even the same pitch (preferably playing for the same side, those sibling rivalries can become a little too competitive if they’re on opposing teams... trust me, I know!).
There’s a role for everyone. Beyond playing, clubs thrive thanks to coaches, umpires, volunteers and organisers who keep everything running. Young players train and compete alongside experienced veterans, gaining invaluable advice, encouragement and inspiration. With multiple teams often playing on the same day, clubs become vibrant social hubs where friendships form across ages and backgrounds. It’s a shared passion (obsession to some), that brings people together - building confidence, belonging and lifelong connections alongside healthier, more active lives.
What’s next for you to do? Find a local club, enrol in that first training session, and don’t look back – you won’t regret it.
Need help shopping the essentials? Here’s our go to Hockey Starter Kit
