Wanderers Juniors are merging with London Wayfarers Hockey Club. We are welcoming the players, their parents, coaches and volunteers to London Wayfarers.
Several weeks ago the Wanderers Juniors leadership team – Sharon, Dan & Al – approached us to discuss the opportunity of merging with London Wayfarers. Wanderers Juniors have close to 200 juniors from minis to U11s and is run independently from the senior section of our friendly neighbours Battersea Wanderers Hockey Club. To provide a better development pathway (beyond U11s) and hockey experience joining forces was the most attractive option for Wanderers Juniors. It will be a great opportunity for players, coaches and volunteers to thrive in a familiar environment.
Of course appropriate discussions have been had with Hannah Fox, chair Battersea Wanderers Hockey Club, to ensure that we maintain positive relations with our neighbours. The merger applies to the junior sections only!
Much consideration has gone into this from our end, both the Executive Committee and junior leadership team believe there are many reasons why this combination also makes sense not in the least because our hockey philosophies and club culture are so similar. It will improve and strengthen the London Wayfarers Junior section and our offering to members in 2018-19 and beyond. In terms of numbers, it does mean that we grow significantly in 2018-19, but that growth is more than matched by increased pitch & coaching capacity. In fact, the combined London Wayfarers Junior section will benefit from both critical mass, especially in certain age groups, and synergies in coaching set up and volunteer base. The integration plans are well underway as we obviously need to plan carefully to ensure the correct processes and pathways are in place.
FAQ
To help you with any queries you may have we have created a Frequently Asked Questions document that will provide more detail on the merger, integration, waiting lists etc.
Our Boys section will see some significant growth, mainly due to new applicants, and we will also increase capacity in the Girls section to take on more players from the waiting list. Further details can be found in the FAQ above and invites will be going out very soon.
We are very excited about the new season and are looking forward to welcoming all the new members to the growing London Wayfarers family!