National Age Group Squads (NAGS) represent England at U16, U18 and U21 level.
What are National Age Group Squads?
National Age Group Squads (NAGS) represent England at U16, U18 and U21 level. The U16 and U18 squads are selected at the England Hockey Futures Cup. Selection for one of these squads is the highest honour that junior hockey players can attain.
What happens in a NAGS?
Involvement in a NAGS will include a combination of training sessions, training camps and competition.
The selected players will receive high performance coaching on the following areas:
- Individual technical coaching
- Team play
- Small unit play
- Set pieces
- Tournament play
Players will be given advice and training on:
- Anti-doping
- Nutrition
- Injury management
- Lifestyle
- Psychology
Players will participate in the following competitions:
Under 16s
- Annual Four Nations Invitation Tournament at Easter (with Germany, Spain, Netherlands)
- Biennial Home Nations Tournament in July (with Scotland, Wales, Ireland) – 2009
Under 18s
- Annual Four Nations Invitation Tournament at Easter (with Germany, Spain, Netherlands)
- UK School Games
- Biennial EuroHockey Under 18 Nations Championships in July – 2009
- Biennial Home Nations Tournament in July (with Scotland, Wales, Ireland) – 2010
Under 21s
- Biennial EuroHockey Junior Nations Championships in July – 2010.
- Junior World Cup – 2009 (every four years)
More information about how NAGS fit into England Hockey's Single System can be found on the Single System pages here.
For further information about the U16 and U18 programmes and squads click on the relevant sub-page on the left hand side.
