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Home > 8th November 2007
Under 21 and National age group trial and selection process for 2008

The WHU have put in place an open trial and athlete selection process as identified in its Strategy of May 2007 and as further explained during Regional presentations in September and early October. The purpose of the trials is to ensure that all potential International athletes have the opportunity to demonstrate their potential over a week-end in front of the appointed National Coaches and other High Performance Coaches. Those selected will then become part of the National Development squad for their respective age group for 2008.

Under 21 Age Group
The Under 21 trial for men and women will be held in Cardiff over the week-end of 8th and 9th of December, the first date of the National League winter break. All National League Clubs, Premier League Clubs and other Clubs in Wales with teams playing at a standard close to Premier status were contacted to nominate potential trialists. In addition, players previously in the Under 21 Squad and still eligible, as well as those players emerging from the Under 18 age group and identified by those age group coaches, have been contacted directly. A final review of the nominations will take place before the selected trialists are contacted directly and their names published on the website. The National Under 21 coaches will then run the trial and select from that the Development squads. These will also be published on the website before Christmas.

Under 18 and 16 Age Groups
The Under 18 and Under 16 process is different.

• Many of the identified athletes in these age groups are already part of the Regional Academies (North and South) that have been operating weekly from October and September respectively. Athletes will be nominated by Regional Coaches where they have been identified as potential age group International players.

• However, in order to make sure no emerging athletes are missed, talent identification by Regional Academy Coaches will also take place at:

• The girls Regional Tournament organised by Regional Associations
• The boys Regional Tournament organised by Regional Associations
• Inter County tournaments notified to the WHU

• In addition, CVs received before the deadline of 4 December from eligible athletes living and playing outside Wales will also be considered by Regional Academy Coaches. National and Premier League Clubs in England will be contacted to assist with the communication of this process.

• Finally, there will be a second opportunity for the identification of talented performers at Welsh School and Club Youth competitions next year.

All dates for International development, training and tournament squad training and competition are posted in Priorities List on the WHU website.

If you have any questions concerning the process, please contact Vicki Sutton in the Admin office at the WHU in the first instance.

If you have any queries about nominations and you are a Welsh based player, contact the Regional Academy Coach for your area as follows:-

Andy Gowman (South Wales) email: [email protected]

Steve Edwards (North Wales) email: [email protected]

If you are based outside of Wales and have any queries about nominations contact Vicki Sutton in the WHU office
or email: [email protected]

 

 For information on National Team programmes, check the WHU Priority List which can be found by clicking here (248kb)

 

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