First Clubs Working Towards Talent Centre Accreditation Announced

England Hockey are delighted to publish the clubs who will form the first cohort working towards Talent Centre accreditation commencing in September 2021.

Talent Centre accreditation aims to recognise those clubs that can provide exceptional early talent development environments, building exceptional hockey basics and an understanding of the game through enjoyable experiences. 

Following much consultation and engagement with clubs during the development phases, in June 2021 clubs were invited to express their interest in being one of the first to undertake the accreditation process to become a Talent Centre. The response was incredibly positive, with submissions from more than 120 clubs. It is fantastic that so many clubs are engaging with the new strategy and are interested in becoming a Talent Centre and England Hockey hope most of these clubs, together with others who have yet to consider it, can gain accredited status over the next few years.  

Each club was considered against a set of principles and have offered 37 clubs the opportunity to work towards Talent Centre accreditation in year one. England Hockey recognise that many other clubs deliver good quality junior sessions across the breadth of the country. More and more of these clubs will have the opportunity to gain Talent Centre accreditation over the coming years as we transition to and embed the new talent system. 

Two sets of workshops will be hosted in November 2021 and February 2022 for clubs interested in being part of the second cohort, which is currently scheduled to begin in September 2022.

More details about the Talent Strategy, including a video designed for parents, can be found here.