What is the purpose of the Talent Academy?

Although, there is a strong connection between Talent Academy (TA) and the England Age Group (EAG) Programme in terms of high potential players being identified and transitioning to the EAG environment, it is important to emphasise the main purpose of TA is to make the players in front of them better and prepare them as a person and player who have the potential to thrive within performance environments in the future. This could be via England Age Group teams, but it could also be the England Hockey League, University Programmes or indeed the GB Elite Development Programme (EDP). 

A TA should not be viewed as simply another environment or session for a player to gain a little more hockey but should act as a considerable part of a high potential player’s weekly hockey diet along with other appropriate junior and adult hockey exposure. 

TA should be distinct from any other environment a player accesses in terms of the focus and nature of the coaching, the mix of individual support and team development across the age profile of players, a best vs best training and competition environment as well as providing wider player education that supports the development of the whole person.