Junior Development and Academy Centres 2020-2021

I am sure that it will not came as a surprise to you that we have decided to abandon this season due to COVID-19. There will be no more training sessions for AC or DC and there will not be any county fixtures this season. I appreciate that this is disappointing news but we have very little choice in the matter.

For those that have been selected for AC squads this season, you will have an opportunity to buy a hoodie should you wish to do so. There is no obligation to do this. I will send out the details next week when we have finalised the payment process. Should you choose to order a hoodie, it will be delivered to the address that is on the Player Pathway System so please make sure this is up to date before you order.

2021-2022 Nominations - we will also start the nomination process for the U13 age group in the next few weeks - i.e. for those players born in 2009. We are working on the assumption that we may be able to run DCs in May and June 2021.

England Hockey Talent Development Strategy - some of you will have seen this new strategy; a revised version is due to be published at the end of February 2021. This is likely to have an impact on how player pathway hockey is governed in Gloucestershire. GHA is working with England Hockey to understand how representational hockey might be affected in the future . We are not in a position to make any announcements as the strategy has not been agreed as the time of writing. However, if any club or school is interested in applying to become a Talent Centre or a Talent School them please could you get in touch because there are some considerations to bear in mind should you wish to follow this path.

Kind Regards

James Doughty