Harwell & Hendred Youth FCCoach Hub · Season 2026/27

Overview

Training logistics

Venues, equipment and the operating rhythm that keeps every training session running smoothly at Boundary Park.

Venue & access

All training is held at Boundary Park, Greenwood Way, Didcot, OX11 6EY (map, site office 01235 815596). There is a large car park and coach bay — coaches park in the marked bays to keep the drop-off loop clear.

By bus: the 98 stops at Boundary Park Pavilion; the X32 stops at UTC — walk down Greenwood Way and turn right into Boundary Park. Nearest station is Didcot Railway Station (taxi or bus).

The equipment container is accessed via the coach key-safe (code rotates each term — check the Coaches WhatsApp).

Winter evening training: logistics for evening sessions during the winter months will be confirmed shortly. Floodlights are only available in certain areas of the site.

New coaches: please speak to an existing coach for an overview of how to operate the floodlights before your first evening session.

Toilets and the defibrillator are located inside the pavilion. Familiarise yourself with the defib on your first session of the season.

Equipment per session

  • 1 ball per player (correct size for age)
  • 2 sets of bibs in contrasting colours
  • Pop-up goals or portable goals from container
  • First-aid kit, ice pack and player medical forms

Session setup

  1. 1Arrive 15 minutes before session start — collect equipment from the container if required.
  2. 2Walk the pitch: check for glass, dog fouling and goalpost stability. Report issues on the Coach's WhatsApp.
  3. 3Mark session zones with cones before players arrive — no dead time at the start.
  4. 4Return all equipment to the container and lock up

Weather & cancellations

Light rain: sessions go ahead. Adjust drills to avoid sliding tackles on wet grass.

Thunder / lightning: stop immediately and move players indoors to the pavilion until 30 minutes after the last strike.

Download FA thunderstorm guidance (PDF)

Frost or waterlogging: Cancellations are posted in the Coaches WhatsApp.

If you cancel your own session, notify parents at least 2 hours in advance where possible.