Hockey Player Pathway in Wales
Individual Player Development
Individual player development relies on ready access to a strong, structured, player pathway to both meet and fuel demand. Players with potential identified at clubs (and schools) are invited to receive coaching at Performance Development Centres (PDCs) at 'hub' clubs. PDCs will become the primary source of players with international potential for Regional Academies (RA's) operating both North and South from two venues using the best national facilities available. The RA's provide skill and personal development for players and are a principal feed for Under-16 and Under-18 National squads. The most promising Welsh athletes, predominantly between the ages of 17-23, have been selected for the National Academy (NA) with the specific intention of supporting players with potential for GB Under 20, future core Senior International and GB Olympic squads. They will be coached at geographically dispersed High Performance Centres (HPCs), with physical testing and other aspects of their development being managed centrally. All coaches leading these activities will be at a minimum of UKCC Level 3 or working to Level 3 and the syllabus managed centrally.
Development of Performance within a Team Context
The primary focus of developing team performance is vested in the international squad’s programmes. Bringing improved core skills into a high intensity group programme is essential to help produce a fully rounded player. Therefore, international programmes continue with the development and training ethos. The High Performance Coaching Group ensures a coherent approach to player development through the age groups and with GB. Sufficient improvement of the Welsh national ranking in Europe will lead to Commonwealth Games qualification.
Athlete Performance Development Framework
The athlete performance development framework is designed to:
- support players within the player pathway, bottom to top, in accordance with Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles.
- assist HW appointed coaches and HW with an evidenced based approach to identify, select, develop and monitor athletes with high performance potential.
- provide standardization, quality assurance and long term data.
The framework comprises:
- a technical syllabus that builds core and advanced skills towards those identified by HW Head Coaches as required for senior international/GB
- a strength and conditioning education and training syllabus, and delivery plan leading towards development of GB physical criteria
- a physiology education and advice programme focusing on nutrition and recovery
- a sports psychology education programme (goal setting, mental imagery, relaxation, anxiety control)
- a physiotherapy education and athlete regimen so athletes and coaches know what to expect from their physiotherapists
- anti-doping education and advice
- an agreed assessment criteria of physical, personal and technical attributes to be adopted by all coaches for all players wishing to progress.
- a graduated series of hockey skill practices and tests of physical attributes for all levels, encompassing GB tests where available, to support assessment of progress against above criteria.
Athlete Selection and Management & The Player Pathway
- Head Coaches at all levels conduct athlete assessment against specified criteria including talent ID at all regional and national competitions
- Athletes are included at appropriate place in player pathway; Clubs, Inter-Counties, Performance Development Centres (PDC), Regional Academies (RA), High Performance Centres (HPC) & National Academy
- Player Pathway is managed from within HW
- Athletes move between elements of player pathway according to progress against LTAD principles
- High-Performance Athletes (HPA) are selected by HPA Development Group (HPADG: Performance Director (currently CEO/chair), High Performance Coaching Consultant, Senior and U21 Head Coaches, National Development Manager (Coaching), IPPC (sec) in accordance with the Performance Plan to select HPAs with GB potential, monitor progress and deselect athletes
- Education, initial and ongoing assessment of athletes is delivered in partnership with SWNC.
- High Performance Centre Coaches deliver to HPAs
Selection System
HW pursues a flexible, athlete-centered policy which enables athletes throughout Wales to be considered for an appropriate level of coaching and development irrespective of the time of year. The exceptions are where international squads have been drawn down as a specific lead in to competition or for logistical or legislative reasons are of a finite size.
In most cases, where an athlete with potential is identified, he or she should be assessed further by the relevant coach e.g. attend 2 weekly sessions at the RA to ensure that is the correct level or to recommend another course of action.
Guiding principles of the selection system:
- No athlete will go directly into a national squad outside of the formal trials unless they have been assessed at regional level or have a proven playing record outside of Wales and are superior in current performance and potential than existing squad members.
- The athlete is eligible to represent Wales or is part of an exchange agreement with another nation.
