Coaches Invited To Nominate Players for England Age Group Open Trials in 2022

The England Age Group Open Trials training days will take place as follows: 

We are pleased to be able to share the format of the trial days. 

Over the training sessions coaches will have the opportunity to observe players and understand their individual profile further, in line with their technical, tactical, mental, teamship and physical qualities.

The invitation letter being sent w/c 15 August will provide further information on what players can expect to undertake over the three days. 

Player who progress from Open Trials will be taken forward for further observations and assessment with activity taking place on the following dates: 

Additional future dates for your diaries, should players be invited to continue with the programme, are as follows. In the autumn, players invited to engage with the programmes through assessment can expect to receive a full calendar of dates. 

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 October training dates.  

Q: How will I know if I have been nominated and can attend training days?  

A: Only players taken forward for training days will receive a call up letter from England Hockey during w/c 15 August. This will not coincide with 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 trials take?  

A: Hockey is a fast past and dynamic invasion game. Over the three training days players can expect to undertake a variety of sessions, providing coaches and 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 trials?  

A: Any coach who feels they are working with a high potential player or players in their club or school environment, who meet the age criteria, may consider nominating players through the nomination channels. The criteria and process for coaches wishing to nominate can be found here.  

 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: England Hockey will be proactive in circulating information through our coaching network, social media channels and the website. We will not accept nominations after the deadline.  

 Q: Is there a cost to send my son or daughter to the trials?  

A: Yes, the cost for each player to attend is £80.00 covering the two day residential camp and the single training day. 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 w/c 15 August. 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 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 three training days. Players should adopt reflective practice and time will be provided during the training days to allow for this. 

Q: Are parents allowed to watch the training days?  

A: Parents will be allowed 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. 

Onward Selection  

The Performance Centre Challenge Cup will be the primary route for players involved in Performance Centre activity to be considered for England Age Group further observation and assessment.  

Coupled with their future potential, Performance Centre players should be aware that the insight provided by their Performance Centre coaches to England Age Group selectors will take into account a player’s performance, character and application across the full Performance Centre cycle.  

This information will be used in conjunction with performances at the Challenge 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 Performance Centre Challenge Cup due to injury or illness may be nominated for further observation and assessment by their Performance Centre coach; these players will attend Open Trials. It will be at the discretion of the centre 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 Performance Centre 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 have demonstrated the required current level of performance and future potential throughout the Performance Centre Cycle.  

Any Performance Centre player with a long-term injury who is therefore unable to participate at the Challenge Cup will have their case reviewed on an individual basis, led by the England Hockey Junior Talent Development Manager, supported by Performance Centre Head Coaches. It will be up to the Head Coaches to advise of injury cases when squads are submitted.  

Should you have any queries relating to this information, an email can be sent to Dieter Hill, England Hockey Talent Development Manager on dieter.hill@englandhockey.co.uk