After a series of camps and training days in September, October, and November, players have been selected from the Talent Academy Festival, DiSE Cup, previous England Age Group squads, and Open Nominations.
A small number of additional players are still under assessment due to absence, illness, or injury. The final squads will be announced in January 2025.
Selection to the England Age Group Programme is a significant milestone for junior hockey players. Management teams are excited to work with these talented individuals who show great potential.
“After an exceedingly strong assessment field this year for the U18s, we are really looking forward to the cycle ahead, which will culminate in the European Cup in Lille, France. We have a group that we believe is full of potential in many ways, and we hope they can stretch and push each other.
The strength of the group is a testament to the hard work of the many coaches and environments these players have developed within. Even though we have only had two cycles of Talent Academies, we feel the effects of increased contact time over a longer period, with coaches focusing on individual development and being well connected with the England Age Group programmes, are already being seen. The vast majority of players have engaged with their local academy. Some have trained throughout the whole cycle, while others, who are currently playing in the top levels of the national leagues, join their Talent Academies as affiliates in block three, post-Easter. They provide great training partners for the academy players and receive quality coaching themselves when the league season finishes.
We are also excited to host the best TA players again in early December for an observation day. This will allow us to validate the existing squad and ensure we haven’t missed any suitable players who may have had a bad day at the TA festival or have shown significant improvement over the last 2-3 months. This approach ensures we maintain the highest standards and give every talented player the opportunity to be part of the programme. The U16s, as the first step into international hockey, remains a thriving environment full of new experiences and challenges for the players selected to represent the country at this age group. It is always exciting to see so many new players with such high potential through this tough selection process, which encompasses many avenues for players to be assessed and selected into the programme.”
Commented Brett Holland – Lead Talent Coach (Girls), England U18 Girls Head Coach
Throughout the programme, players will experience a high-challenge, high-support environment with regular training days and camps. They will gain exposure to top European nations, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Ireland, and the Home Nations, through camp-based activities and tournaments. Education will be provided by specialists in anti-doping, nutrition, strength and conditioning, injury management, and psychology.
We would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the coaches, parents, and support staff who have supported the players’ journeys so far.
For those selected, further details on the next steps, including upcoming training dates and initial meetings, will be communicated shortly.
For any questions or additional information, please contact Dieter Hill (dieter.hill@englandhockey.co.uk)
