Providing the opportunity for people in your club to have the chance to develop their skills not only benefits the club but can also benefit the individual and make their experience with the club more rewarding. To do this effectively clubs need to understand people at an individual level and understand what opportunities are available for them, both within the club and externally, through wider hockey structures such as the Talent System or England Hockey training and development opportunities.
For players this may mean finding ways to provide greater support to develop skills through extra or more specific training, advice and support off the pitch. For some clubs this might be about helping players to progress to play elsewhere at a time that is right for their development across the Talent System and potentially with other clubs, which can be supported by England Hockey’s Right Athlete Right Environment (RARE) principles. Ultimately there is a need to put the players’ needs at the heart of decision making.
Coaches, umpires and volunteers are also key to consider when planning development opportunities. This could be courses, workshops or softer learning opportunities such as the Hockey Hub or internal club support through mentoring or coaching. Understanding the relevant coaching and umpiring pathways is important for clubs to maximise their people. As in business, this includes the need for a club to budget for developing people.
Get Season Ready Support and Resources
Click on the links below to explore the resources and support available to help your club this season:
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Use this handy list of questions alongside our resources to help you prepare for the new season:
- Are there clear pathways for player development within the club?
- Is there a talent identification and development programme in place for players, coaches and officials?
- Are there opportunities for members to take on leadership roles within the club?
- Are there plans to support players in transitioning to higher levels of hockey?
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Click on the links below to access our toolkit of resources and support to help your club #GetSeasonReady.
Please click on the links below to access hockey specific support from England Hockey:
- England Hockey Talent System Pages
- England Hockey Talent Academies page
- England Hockey Talent Centres page
- England Hockey County Hockey page
- England Hockey Talent Schools page
- Hockey Hub, home for Coaching / Officiating Resources / Guidance / Learning Opportunities
Ongoing Club Development: A Long-Term Vision
Building a successful and sustainable club requires more than just focusing on the current season. It's about creating a strong foundation for the future.
There are lots of fantastic opportunities to develop the people within your club. Read on, challenge yourself by answering our handy questions, and then access a range of resources to get started today.
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- How do you identify talent within your players/coaches/umpires? What do you do with this information?
- Who leads on supporting individuals that want to progress? What training/support do they have?
- How do you differentiate your training sessions? Could a player who wanted to train more often or develop their skills and knowledge do so?
- Do you need to link into other clubs to ensure there is the most complete talent pathway for your players, umpires and coaches?
- Do you have anything in place to develop your aspiring coaches and umpires? How does this work?
- How do you support players to effectively transition through the Talent System?
- How do you support and develop members in administration roles?
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Our club support programme is designed to help you achieve your goals. It includes resources for all clubs, specialist advice for specific projects, targeted support for clubs with high potential in junior growth and increasing diversity and inclusion, and tailored services for bespoke needs. Find out more.
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An opportunity to meet your Club Development Manager and other clubs in your area and discuss common issues, development opportunities and share ideas and best practice. Dates can be found on our monthly calendar on the Club Support page and invites will be sent directly from England Hockey Clubs team.
