Junior Player Development
Redditch Hockey Club
At Redditch Hockey Club (RHC), we take the development of our junior players
very seriously, and to that extent provide a comprehensive programme and
player pathway to support their development at every level.
New Players
All new players aged between 6 and 16 are welcomed to attend our regular juniors training session
held weekly at the club 5.30pm-7.00pm on Wednesday evenings during the season. These sessions
are delivered by qualified coaches, and focus around participation, enjoyment and basic skill
development. From the players that train on Wednesday evenings, a squad is selected weekly to
play in our Badgers XI on a Saturday afternoon. RHC are also working towards arranging friendly
matches and entering tournaments to provide matches for differing age groups against other local
clubs.
Junior Development Centres (JDCs)
From the age of 11+, players will be invited to attend JDC training sessions aimed at offering
development opportunities to those that attend. These sessions are organised and run by the
County Association (Worcestershire) in July and August, which look to develop the “Core Skills” (the
basic individual skills identified by England Hockey as the primary focus for players of this age).
These JDCs are run by experienced coaches, and operate at a level above club/school coaching, but
sub-County level. Within Worcestershire, there are three JDCs based at Bromsgrove, Malvern and
Stourport, offering coaching for boys and girls from 11 years to 16 years old. These JDCs are not an
alternative to club coaching, but are a progression for those wishing to spend more time developing
their skills.
The club is happy to recommend any of its juniors at the relevant age groups for assessment at these
JDCs – so please just let the coaches on a Wednesday evening know if you are keen to explore this
route.
Beyond JDCs
During the JDC process, players will be continually assessed, and will be recommended for
assessment at the next level (Junior Academy Centres) if they are deemed good enough. JACs are
similar in level and construct to the old “County” set up. JACs provide the stepping stone to Junior
Regional Performance Centres, which are the highest level of training and assessment for Juniors
within the Country, and players will progress from JAC to JRPC, and then potentially be involved in
High Performance Camps (HiPACs) or the Futures Cup dependent upon the age group they are in.
There is plenty of elaboration on this “Player Pathway” on both the County website –
http://www.hw-hockey.org.uk/ss/ – and the England Hockey Board website –
www.EnglandHockey.co.uk – or feel free to contact any of the club committee to help explain
further if required.
Progression to 11-a-side Hockey
According to a mandate by the England Hockey Board (EHB), players are not allowed to participate in 11-a-side
League hockey until they are over the age of 13. Hence, the club looks to provide the transition for players in a
number of ways:
a)
Junior Representative sides at U14, U16 and U18 level – whilst currently the Junior section is not large
enough at each of these age groups, we are looking to grow the junior section so that we are able to
offer this opportunity, firstly with friendly fixtures, then followed by entering national cup
tournaments.
If anyone is interested in helping to develop sides at these age groups please get in contact
with any member of the club committee.
b) Badgers – this is a junior side which play non-League hockey and generally cater for those players
aged between 10 and 13 (with some exceptions) that play on Saturday afternoons, and are supported
both on and off-field by senior players within the club. Matches are played against other clubs within
the midlands, and provide an excellent opportunity to experience 11-a-side hockey, and also to
prepare juniors for the transition to playing in competitive matches against adults.
c) Players aged 13 and over (where possible, and WITH Parental Consent) are invited to play League
matches on a Saturday afternoon for one of the lower sides in either the Men’s or Ladies’ section.
Player Feedback
It is the club’s aim to provide feedback to all of its junior players identifying strengths and weaknesses and
helping to highlight what can be done to improve each and every player’s development no matter what their
level and/or aspirations. It is our aim to provide this feedback at least once a year.
For more information on progression via the “EHB Single System Player Pathway”, please refer to the County
Website (http://www.hw-hockey.org.uk/ss/), the EHB website (www.EnglandHockey.co.uk) or speak to a
member of the club committee. The contact details of our club secretary can be found below:
Adrian Young
07952 069772
[email protected]