Emerging Talent Program

Over the past 9 years, we have established a comprehensive methodology to accelerate and maximise player development, working with and learning from some of the world’s top international players and coaches.

We have a track record of developing youth players through to junior and senior and international levels.

The key to unlocking your potential is you. You need to take accountability for your own growth. What we provide is world-class coaching, consistency and support structures, to equip you with all the tools to do this. With this program, you will receive consistent, high quality development and support. Where you take it from there, is up to you.

Mental strength and resilience for players is increasingly vital. We have developed a program that supports players to develop this aspect.

We want to build a supportive environment and community, where like-minded players can come together to train, develop and build themselves as people.

Our program is aimed at aspiring youth performance players. By this we mean, players who are committed and hungry to improve, and wish to be challenged and supported in a world-class training camp environment.

As a general guide, players may be County standard and above - and we welcome players who are also in Talent Academies, or at a pre-Talent Academy stage. However, being at these defined levels is not an absolute pre-requisite for entry and we will also consider your motivations and ambitions to develop when looking at applications.

You will train hard, so need to be ready for this, but your developmental rewards should be huge if you put in the work.

The program is open to outfielders and goalkeepers, in Years 7-13 as of the September start.

The cost of participation is £125 per month, across 10 months (September to July).

For this, you receive 75 hours of development across the in-person days and online sessions - approximately £16.60 per hour.

We have scope to take a limited number of participants on scholarship places at a reduced fee. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Each centre has capacity for 60 players, with each application considered on its merits.

In person coaching days fall within school holidays, as follows:

• 2 days October half-term

• 2 days December / January break

• 2 days February half-term

• 2 days Easter break

• 2 days May half-term

• 2 days July

The Festival Tournament Competition Day aims to take place in August 2026, to close the program.

Any days postponed / cancelled due to adverse weather will be rescheduled.

Exact dates and venues will be confirmed prior to applications opening.

In person days run 10am-3pm daily.

Entry is by application.

Your first step is to Express Interest in the program. This is done by completing a short form - access it here.

We will then contact you when applications open.

We are unable to provide feedback on applications

Each camp is progressive and will build upon the concepts developed at previous camps in the calendar.

All camps follow a similar flow structure, with the themes within each area developed as players progress through the year:

• Word-class basics - developing the fundamental building-blocks in your game

• Decision-making & vision - turning “technique” into “skill” - applying techniques in the right contexts

• Advanced technicals - building specialist skills for your game (dragflicking, aerials, tomhawks etc)

• Small-sided gameplay - maximising touches and amplifying decision-making

• Expanded gameplay - full pitch matchplay with tactical learning objectives

• Tactical & analysis - improving game understanding at team and individual levels

Online sessions will cover a number of topics, aimed at supporting holistic player development and with a sport psychology focus. Topics include:

• Understanding yourself as a player

• Approaches to training - how to maximise your development

• How to thrive in selection environments, including trials and Talent Academy

• Managing pressure and stress

• Dealing with feedback and setbacks

• Developing confidence

• US College applications (where applicable)

This event will mark the ending of the program. Players from each Centre will come together and compete in a day of friendly competition.

This event aims to take place in August 2026. Further details tbc.

All dates for this program have been selected to fall in school holiday periods and with reference to the current England Hockey Centralised Calendar, avoiding allocated dates for TA and County training as best we can. We aim to minimise clashes with these activities.

Although some TAs and Counties will put on additional sessions and training camps in holidays, these will not be mandatory. We firmly believe that having access to additional high quality training and a different voice from your regular TA and County coaches will be beneficial to player development.

We schedule our program with the aim that those intending to participate in the TA Competition or England Age Group Open trials at the end of July 2026 will be able to arrive at those events at peak performance.

For online sessions, these will be recorded and made available to the group post-session.

For in-person camps, we build the calendar in advance to allow you to plan holiday activities etc around the dates. Each camp functions in a standalone way, so if you need to miss a camp or a day, there would not be an issue in doing this. However, no fee reductions will be made for missed days, so you will be applying on the basis that you can join the entire program.

Within the in-person days there will be both small-sided and full pitch matches.

We plan to host an end of program festival, where teams from each Centre will have the opportunity to compete against each other.

Outside the program itself, we may consider the possibility of playing against other groups, but that is not currently planned. We are very conscious of the high playing and training loads that junior players are already subject to, and do not wish to add to this unless we can see it would add particular value to your individual development.

Our focus is on making you a better player, so that you can take it back to excel in your club / school / regional environments.

No. Player growth is multi-faceted. We want to develop you as people, players and leaders. Therefore, some training will be split into age / experience levels and some will be mixed. We see mixed training as an opportunity - for younger players to gain ‘stretch’ and for older players to develop as mentors and leaders. These qualities are important in both team sport and life.

Be assured - you are working in a world-class training environment with high-quality coaches who have proven expertise. Whatever your level, we will ensure we develop you and support you to succeed.

You will be joining our program to become part of a supportive community, led by your coaches.

Aside from our interactions at the online sessions and in-person days, you can reach out to your coaches for additional support.

Each player will have access to your Head Coach for 20 minute telephone check-ins, based around the coach’s availability. These will be delivered either 1-1, 1-2 or 1-3.

Want to explore US College recruitment? We can advise you on this, connect you with the right groups, and get you into the best possible shape.

Want to start coaching younger players? We can help you with ideas and guidance.

Considering you next steps in terms of club / University hockey? We can offer you objective support and connect you with the right people to help you achieve your goals.

When joining our program, you get some of the top coaches in the country in your corner, to help you grow. Ultimately, your drive and determination will be responsible for your own success. However, we can give you all the tools and support to help set you on the right path.

We welcome goalkeepers onto the program. GKs will benefit from working within a high quality training environment, access GK specific coaching workshops during in-person training days, develop mental strength through our online sessions and build reaction speed, agility and hand-eye-foot co-ordination with our GK athletic development program.