Junior Development Centres (JDCs)

A Junior Development Centre (JDC) is a local training centre for the U13 to U17 age groups. 

What is a Junior Development Centre?

A Junior Development Centre (JDC) is a local training centre for the U13 to U17 age groups.  JDCs are open to any hockey player who has been nominated by their club, school or coach.  After playing for a club or school, attending a JDC is the next step on hockey’s Player Pathway.  The coach or teacher can nominate a player to attend an assessment for a JDC if and when they think it is appropriate for the player’s development.

What happens at a JDC?

A JDC will provide regular training sessions where players will receive coaching on the core skills of hockey from appropriately qualified coaches.  As well as training, there will be competition between local JDCs.  Initially, the type, level and frequency of localised competition may vary across the country as the Single System is still at the early stages of implementation.

The combination of training and competition allows players to develop in a variety of situations and ensures that they are assessed in more than just the competition environment. 

Where and when are the JDCs?

Players will attend whichever JDC is closest to where they live (or in the case of boarding pupils, where they attend school).  There will be a minimum of two JDCs in every county.  Pilot activity is being run in 2008/09, but from 2009/10 JDCs will run from September to December.  Information about the location of JDCs is available from clubs, schools, your County Association or England Hockey Regional Office and at
www.englandhockey.co.uk/jdclocations.

Who organises the JDCs?

JDCs will be run by County Hockey Associations or Hockey Development Groups, who will appoint coaches and managers/administrators to organise and run all activity.  The manager/administrator will be the main contact regarding nominations, dates and times of the sessions and the coaches will be responsible for the training and competition.

Is there a cost to attend a JDC?

A fee will be charged for attending training sessions and competitions. 

What is the next step on the U18 Player Pathway?

Following JDC training and competition, JDC coaches will nominate players to attend Junior Academy Centre (JAC) assessment.  During 2008/09, the timing of JAC activity will vary, but from the 2009/10 season JACs will run from January to April.  For more information on JACs, please refer to the JAC leaflet in this series or visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/jac.

Which Age Group?