Are you eligible to play for Wales?
In order to be eligible to represent Wales you have to fulfil one of the following criteria:
- Born in Wales
- One or both parents born in Wales
- Can prove continuous residence in Wales for a period of three years (Seniors), one year (U-21s) or in the case of Youth players (U-18 and below) a period of not less than three months, immediately preceding selection. In all cases players must also be a member of a club or school affiliated to Hockey Wales or hold individual.
- Players will only be able to represent Welsh under-aged squads (U-21, U-18, U-16 etc) if they are under the necessary age by the 1st January in the year of competition or otherwise as deemed by the European Hockey Federation / International Hockey Federation.
(Following an FIH ruling, with effect from 1st August 2009, grandparents are no longer an eligibility criteria. An agreed transition policy is in place for age group players who have been members of international age group squads) )
Differing criteria applies for those players holding dual nationality or for those that have represented another country at U-21 or Senior level and any such person wishing to make themselves available for selection must first contact Hockey Wales for clarification. For Commonwealth Games, sub paragraphs (1 ) and (2) apply. Any consideration for residency will need to be considered by Hockey Wales and CGCW Committees.
If one or more of these rules applies to you then you should download and complete the following Prospective International Athlete CV and send it to info@hockeywales.org.uk
Prospective International Athlete CV
T4 (Senior International) Entry
Tier 4 of the framework (senior international level) is appropriate for those players predominantly aged over 18 who can compete at an international level. In view of the Hockey for Life Framework, players over 18 will no longer train as under 21s and senior. Instead, a more Talent Development driven model will see all athletes (post 18) train at a Wales Performance Training Squad. This training will be supported by relevant competition at under 21, Wales A or Wales Senior.
Players from the U18 age group will be nominated by the NAG Head Coach to attend senior training. Players not nominated from the U18 age group will be given verbal and written feedback from the National Age Group (NAG) Head Coach with individual focus points to continue their development within their club structures.
Consideration for those new and re-entering into Tier 4 begins via club nominations. When a club or club coach feels that a player can compete at the senior international level, they are asked to submit a detailed reference on behalf of the player. In addition the player should complete a Prospective International Athlete CV (you will find the link to this above). These submissions should detail the player's achievements to date and ability to train and compete at a senior international level.
This application should be submitted with a link to a small video log of the player's current skill level within a competitive game/training environment.
If coaches are unfamiliar with the current levels for Senior Performance Training Squad and wish to attend a session to find out more, they should request to attend via the T4 Systems Manager.
Once these submissions are received, the Senior Head Coaches will review the application and the player will be contacted by Hockey Wales regarding the outcome and next steps.
Please send references through to Tier 4 Systems Manager at info@hockeywales.org.uk
For video logs please upload your video onto YouTube and send the link to the email address above. Please note that you will need to create a YouTube account in order to do this. You can also select the option to make this a private video so that only the recipient of the link can gain access to it.
