Founded in 2016 by Wapping Hockey Club, Wapping Kidds was the first inner-London hockey club for school-age children. We’re proud to provide youth hockey in Tower Hamlets and Newham, with over 100 children participating in hockey training for kids every week. We’re excited to continue growing Kidds as part of our mission to make sport more inclusive and accessible in East London.
Wapping Kidds, named after Captain Kidd of Wapping fame (not just a misspelling!), warmly welcomes and nurtures everyone, from complete beginners to experienced players. We’re a mixed hockey club for ages 6–18, ensuring all children are welcome, regardless of their experience or background.
Hockey training sessions for Wapping Kidds are held at the John Orwell Sports Centre, E1W 2QD in Wapping, Tower Hamlets. Practices take place on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings at the following times:
U14-U18: Friday - 18:30-20:00
U8-U12: Saturday - 9:30-11:00
For the 2026/27 season, our terms for youth hockey will operate as follows:
Winter term: 4 September - 12 December
Spring term: 8 January - 20 March
Summer term: 16 April - 24 July
Join us for hockey training for kids in East London!
Our U8, U10, U12, and U14 teams at Wapping Kidds hockey participate in exciting Sunday tournaments against clubs from across London, providing fantastic youth hockey experiences. Starting from U13, juniors ready to advance can engage in competitive senior hockey on Saturdays as part of our dedicated men’s and women’s development teams based in Tower Hamlets. As their skills, confidence, and experience grow, there’s the opportunity for them to progress into our higher-level senior teams, playing alongside some of the club’s best players while benefiting from specialized hockey training for kids.
Our Head Coach, Sandra Akinbolu, oversees a friendly and enthusiastic voluntary coaching team dedicated to promoting youth hockey in East London. We are committed to helping young people enjoy hockey, particularly through our Wapping Kidds hockey program.
All our coaches are DBS checked, and our regular coaches complete England Hockey safeguarding courses, ensuring a safe environment for hockey training for kids.
As our club in Tower Hamlets continues to grow, we are always on the lookout for new coaches and assistants. The training sessions are expertly planned and led by our lead coaches. We also provide training and support for our volunteer coaches, including a junior coach program for 14-18 year olds.
We encourage parents to get involved, and we even offer free adult sessions for those who have never played hockey before! If you’re interested in becoming a part of our community, feel free to drop us an email, and we can chat.
At our east London hockey sessions, we provide the hockey sticks necessary for children to play, but they are also welcome to bring their own. Our training is designed for kids in the Tower Hamlets area, specifically at Wapping Kidds Hockey.
For clothing, it’s important to wear trainers or astroturf shoes along with comfortable attire to engage in hockey training for kids. Additionally, please bring appropriate clothing for the weather, including raincoats, gloves, and sun hats, as we play regardless of conditions—note that peaked caps are not advisable for safety reasons.
Shin pads are essential since hockey balls can be hard! They can be purchased at reasonable prices online or from most sports shops. Gumshields are highly recommended and mandatory for any children participating in matches and tournaments in our youth hockey programs.
Lastly, don’t forget to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during our sessions!
At Wapping Kidds hockey, we believe that hockey is about more than just the action on the pitch. Our focus is on providing hockey training for kids that fosters confidence, responsibility, and essential skills that will benefit them long after they transition from junior hockey in Tower Hamlets.
As our players mature, we offer them opportunities to take on responsibility within the club, support younger players, and acquire new skills. We train young people in East London hockey to become qualified umpires and junior coaches, allowing them to earn money doing something they are passionate about, both at university and beyond.
Whether they are leading a younger team, assisting at a training session, or stepping onto the pitch as an umpire, our juniors learn to communicate effectively, take on responsibility, and support their peers in the youth hockey community.