A professional, vibrant, innovative environment for athlete-centered development in Wales...
The aim of the Welsh Hockey Performance Unit is to provide a professional, vibrant, innovative environment for athlete-centered development in Wales leading to international hockey success. To achieve that, athletes with talent need to be identified early in schools and clubs and helped to progress through a clear and transparent player pathway in order to maximize their playing potential.
To develop a pool of talented athletes, the key enablers for success are experienced coaching and management teams, a well constructed development syllabus, a positive but challenging environment and appropriate competition.
The ultimate goal is to develop a continuous stream of high performing players that can successfully represent Wales in International events such as the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games, and then progress to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games - check your eligibility to play for Wales
The two key areas of focus for the WHU within the Player Pathway are individual player development and development of performance within a team context. Please see the below diagram for an overall view of the player pathway in Wales.
Find out more about Player Pathway
Are you eligible to play for Wales?
In order to be eligible to represent Wales you have to fulfil one of the following criteria:
- Born in Wales
- One or both parents born in Wales
- Can prove continuous residence in Wales for a period of three years (Seniors), one year (U-21s) or in the case of Youth players (U-18 and below) a period of not less than three months, immediately preceding selection. In all cases players must also be a member of a club or school affiliated to the Union or hold individual affiliation of the Union.
- Players will only be able to represent Welsh under-aged squads (U-21, U-18, U-16 etc) if they are under the necessary age by the 1st January in the year of competition or otherwise as deemed by the European Hockey Federation / International Hockey Federation.
(Following an FIH ruling, with effect from 1st August 2009, grandparents are no longer an eligibility criteria. An agreed transition policy is in place for age group players who have been members of international age group squads) )
Differing criteria applies for those players holding dual nationality or for those that have represented another country at U-21 or Senior level and any such person wishing to make themselves available for selection must first contact the WHU for clarification. For Commonwealth Games, sub paragraphs (1 ) and (2) apply. Any consideration for residency will need to be considered by the WHU and CGCW Committees.
If one or more of these rules applies to you then you should download and complete the following Prospective International Athlete CV and send it to the WHU Performance Coordinator: Vicki.sutton@welsh-hockey.co.uk
Prospective International Athlete CV
Selection Policy and Criteria
The WHU has an open and transparant selection policy for international athletes.
GB selection criteria for senior and under-20 athletes is the basis for WHU athlete selection but these will be augmented by specific selection criteria identified by the HPADG where relevant to the Welsh National Programme.
More about 'Selection Criteria'
