England age group open nominations

Invited players who progress will be taken forward for further observations and assessment alongside players selected from Talent Academies, DiSE programme and selected players from previous

England Age Group programmes.  Please be aware that players may not be taken forward for all assessment dates; decisions will be at the discretion of the programme Head Coach and the

England Hockey Junior Talent Development Manager. Full information will be shared through a call up letter sent out to those players who successfully progress from the initial assessment

dates.  ONWARD SELECTION   The Talent Academy Cup will be the primary route for players involved in Talent Academy activity to be considered for England Age Group further observation and

assessment.   Coupled with their future potential, TA players should be aware that the insight provided by their TA coaches to England Age Group selectors will take into account a player’s

performance, character and application across the full TA cycle. England Age Group selectors have also been actively attending Talent Academies and engaging in discussions with coaches

around players. This information will be used in conjunction with performances at the Talent Academy Cup to determine which players will be nominated for further observation for England Age

Group activity.  UNAVAILABILITY AND INJURY   Any player who is unable to attend the Talent Academy Cup due to injury or illness may be nominated for further observation and assessment by

their Talent Academy coach. Players not selected for the Talent Academy Cup might also, in a few cases, be put forward for a nomination; this might be due to the age profile of squads in one

or two locations. It will be at the discretion of the academy coaching team (final decision resting with the Head Coach) to determine if a player should be considered for such an

opportunity based on their experiences of said player(s) during the full cycle. It will be up to the Head Coaches to advise of nomination cases when squads are submitted.   Players should

note, there is no guarantee of being nominated by their coach unless they consistently demonstrate the required level of performance and future potential throughout the Talent Academy cycle.

   Any Talent Academy player who is unable to attend the Talent Academy Cup due to injury or illness will have their case reviewed on an individual basis, led by the England Hockey Junior

Talent Development Manager, supported by Talent Academy Head Coaches. It will be up to the Head Coaches to advise of injury cases when squads are submitted.   Q: HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE

BEEN NOMINATED AND CAN ATTEND THE OPEN ASSESSMENT DATES?  A: Only players taken forward for open assessment days will receive a call up letter from England Hockey. This will not be broadcast

by any formal announcements.   Q: CAN A PLAYER BE NOMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE?  A: Yes, a player may be nominated by their club and school. We wouldn’t expect multiple

nominations from the same environment e.g. two separate nominations from coaches at the same school or two coaches from the same club.  Q: WHAT FORMAT WILL THE ASSESSMENT DAYS TAKE?   A:

Hockey is a fast past and dynamic invasion game. Over the two training days players can expect to undertake a variety of sessions, providing coaches with insight into a player’s technical,

tactical, mental and teamship and physical qualities. Further information can be accessed via the Talent System Framework.  Q: WHO CAN NOMINATE PLAYERS FOR THE ENGLAND AGE GROUP OPEN

ASSESSMENT DAYS?   A: Any coach who feels they are working with a high potential player or players in their England Hockey affiliated club, school or county environment, who meet the age

criteria, may consider nominating players through the nomination channels.  Q: CAN A PARENT, GUARDIAN OR RELATION NOMINATE A PLAYER?   A: No, we are seeking nominations from coaches only;

please refer to the nomination process for further information. In the case whereby as a relative, you are also the primary hockey coach of the player, we ask you to contact the England

Hockey Junior Talent Development Manager before making a nomination.  Q: WHAT IF I (COACH) MISS THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS?   A: We will NOT accept nominations after the deadline.   Q: IS

THERE A COST TO SEND MY CHILD TO THE ASSESSMENT DAYS?   A: Yes, the cost for each player to attend is £70.00 covering the two open assessment training days. There is no pro-rata payment

option and payment must be paid in full, in advance of the trials. Details will be shared in the invitation letter to be sent out. Cost should not be a barrier to attending the dates.

Information will include channels of communication to follow should this cost prove to be a barrier to a player being able to attend the training days.   Q: WHAT IF I AM INVITED TO THE

ASSESSMENT TRAINING DAYS BUT CAN’T ATTEND DUE TO OTHER COMMITMENTS?   A: If you receive an invitation, the information provided will clearly state channels of communication for you to

follow. All individual circumstances will be managed on a case-by-case basis.  Q: WILL PLAYERS WHO ATTEND THE TRAINING DAYS BE PROVIDED WITH FEEDBACK?   A: Players will receive feedback

through the coaching on the day. Players shouldn’t expect to receive formal written feedback after the two training days. Players should adopt reflective practice and time will be provided

during the training days to allow for this.  Q: ARE PARENTS ABLE TO WATCH THE TRAINING DAYS?   A: Parents will be able to observe the training days as far as facilities allow. We ask anyone

observing to respect the protocols of the facilities being used e.g. dogs are unlikely to be allowed at the venues.