England Under 21s

The England under-21 programme are situated within our UK Sport Funded Elite Development Programme (EDP).

We don’t compete formally as Great Britain below Senior level so, as England is the Nominated Country in the GB Framework Agreement, the England under 21 programme is embedded within the EDP. 

At the start of 2023 we reviewed the women’s programme to look at what we did well, and where we could improve and use our resource more effectively to support sub-senior female players. We spoke to coaches, players and leaders across the home nations before deciding the best way forward.

The outcome of the review was a decision to change the delivery model on for the women’s programme with distinct GB and England components while continuing a more integrated GB and England model with the men.   

Watch this video for more details about the rationale of change and the implications for female England players.

We are now seeking player nominations from Club or Talent Academy Coaches for: 

The 2025 Women’s England Under 21 squad 

The Men’s GB Elite Development Programme (GB EDP) which includes the England Under 21 squad. 

 The nomination process for the Women’s England under-21 squad is open until Sunday 18^th August at 1700 hrs.   

England Under-21 Women nominations

The nomination process for the Men’s GB Elite Development Programme is open until Sunday 3^rd November at 1700 hrs.   

Men's GB EDP nominations

To be eligible for nomination, players need to hold, or be eligible to hold, a British Passport and be over 18 on the 31 December 2024. The route to assessment for under 18 players is via their respective Home Nation age group programme. 

You will also be asked for the following details when you complete the form:-

• Your e-mail address
• Your telephone number
• Full name of the nominated player
• Nominated player's date of birth
• E-mail address for the nominated player 
• E-mail address for the nominated player’s parent or guardian (if player is under 18)
• Telephone number for the player
• Telephone number for the parent or guardian (if player is under 18)
• School or university of the nominated player (if applicable)
• Club of the nominated player (if applicable)
• The player's preferred playing line

Please nominate those players who you genuinely feel can excel at international level and/or develop into medal winning Olympians of the future.

Following the success of a new delivery structure for the women’s programme this year we will continue with a run an individualised GB Elite Development Programme for 10-15 Great Britain players who show the potential to progress to GB senior international level in the next 1-4 years.  This is distinct to the England under-21 women’s programme although some players may be in both programmes

Players will apply directly to be considered for the GB component.  More information can be found on the GB Hockey website.