Performance Centres in Wales
NATIONAL ACADEMY
The aim of the National Academy (NA), a key part of the player pathway, is to develop identified talented athletes to achieve their maximum potential within a GB context. The most promising Welsh athletes, predominantly between the ages of 17-23, with potential for GB Under 20, future core Senior International and GB Olympic squads are selected for the Academy by a High Performance Athlete Development Group. The athletes will be coached at geographically dispersed High Performance Centre's (HPCs), with physical testing and other aspects of their development being managed and conducted centrally. All coaches leading these activities will be at a minimum of UKCC Level 3 or working to Level 3.
Based at Welsh Institute of Sport (WIS), Cardiff, central venue activities are held quarterly to test, educate and develop athletes to give them every opportunity to succeed. In addition, athletes are coached regularly at satellite high performance centre's set up around the UK to minimize travelling for the athletes. Each Centre must be a floodlight water-based astro turf.
Programme
The programme disciplines covered by the NA are: hockey skills, strength and conditioning, sports science - nutrition, physiology, psychology - physiotherapy, sports medicine, and lifestyle. The programme comprises, attending central induction and testing, attending regular geographically delivered hockey skills coaching, self managed physical training to a programme, locally managed physiotherapy/injury management, recording activity on Sport Plan and attending International squad training and competition.
Athlete Selection and Progression
Athletes selected for programme on an annual basis in April by the High Performance Athlete Development Group comprising Performance Lead, High Performance Coaching Consultant, Senior, U21, U18 and U16 Head Coaches, National Development Manager (Coaches and Coaching). Assessment is made against WHU criteria and performance against goals set for and with every athlete in each discipline. Performance reviewed in September and January. Athletes may be promoted, demoted or released from the programme depending on performance. Athletes remain on programme at each level for a maximum of 3 years.
Athlete Categorisation and Support
Athletes are accepted on the programme at 3 status levels:
- 5 - potential GB (funding level 1)
- 4 - potential core Wales (U25) (funding level 2)
- 3 - existing senior Wales that will have access to HPCs
Athlete Management
All administrative matters are managed by the Performance Lead. Appointments of High Performance Coaches and Lead of Professions are co-ordinated by the National Development Manager (Coaches and Coaching). The HPADG agrees inclusion or exclusion of athletes from the programme.
THE SOUTH WALES HOCKEY INSTITUTE
The aim of the South Wales Hockey Institute is to develop high performance hockey athletes within a GB framework. The Institute has been set up to attract and develop athletes, primarily from the ages of 17 to 23, with the commitment and potential to compete at a full international level.
Partners
The Institute is a unique partnership between universities, clubs, the WIS and the WHU. The WHU organises and manages the Institute on behalf of the all partners, who are committed to work collectively and collaboratively to achieving the aim of the Institute.The components of the partnership are:
- A hockey skills development programme for athletes
- An individual personal development programme for each athlete
- Research and development opportunities in hockey
- An opportunity for all players to compete at National League level
The WHU, Universities and Clubs will nominate potential athletes using extant GB and Wales talent identification criteria. Following a trial period of skills development and recommendations by the Head Coach, athletes will be selected for the programme.
Position in the Player Pathway
The Hockey National Academy is run from a number of geographically dispersed High Performance Centre's. Cardiff is one of those centre's, and is well placed to be enhanced by working with the universities and national league clubs in South Wales. This will enable a critical mass of top male and female athletes to be brought together on a frequent and regular basis. Consequently the Cardiff High Performance Centre has been rebadged as the South Wales Hockey Institute.In a GB context, the Institute will be equivalent to English Regional Academies and Scottish Regional Institutes. It will therefore be part of the GB framework as well as supporting the development of Welsh athletes.
REGIONAL ACADEMIES
The Regional Academies operate weekly and offer regular training to the junior (U16 & U18) athletes in between training camps, as well as providing an assessment environment for Prospective Athletes.
There are two Academies situated in North Wales (at Colwyn Bay and Wrexham) and a further two Academies that run in South Wales (at Cardiff and Swansea). For more information please contact the Performance Coordinator (Fi Tibbitt) on 029-2078-0736 or fi.tibbitt@welsh-hockey.co.uk
PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT CENTRES (PDCs)
Performance Development Centre's are a key part of the WHU's Player Pathway, located between club junior sections and Regional Academies. The WHU aims to set up 12-16 PDCs throughout Wales in partnership with local clubs that have a good track record of running junior coaching programmes and suitably qualified coaches. In addition, coaches from other local clubs and schools are encouraged to get involved, as PDCs aim to develop coaches as well as players.
PDCs cater for junior players aged 17 and under between September and November, and players aged 13 and under between May and July. Sessions are typically weekly or fortnightly, and cost £3 per session. A player can be nominated for a PDC either by their school's PE department or by their hockey club. The WHU writes to every local school and hockey club for nominations.
The stronger players at PDCs will be signposted to Regional Academies, and may remain there if they reach the required standards of performance and attitude. Some of the weaker players at PDCs may have to be deselected, but will always return to their club or school sessions with clear instructions regarding the areas of their game that need improving and how to do so. Moreover, if they show signs of improvement then the PDC Coordinator will invite players back into the PDC - the door is never shut.
The WHU expects PDCs to have a significant impact on the following key areas:
- Participation - PDCs can encourage more young players to commit to hockey by providing access to midweek coaching for junior players with ability;
- Coaching - PDCs can help with coach development and deployment;
- Club development - PDCs can raise the capacity of lead clubs and other clubs that chose to become involved;
- Performance - PDCs can raise the standards of Wales's junior players.
For further information please contact Fi Tibbitt (Performance Coordinator) at the WHU. Email fi.tibbitt@welsh-hockey.co.uk or tel 029-2078-0736.
CURRENT PDC NETWORK
PDC Name Venue Lead Club (s) Runs North Wales Coast Rydal School, Colwyn Bay Colwyn Bay HC TBA North East Wales Glyndwr University, Wrexham Wrexham HC and
Northop Hall HCTBA Montgomeryshire Maldwyn Leisure Centre, Newtown Welshpool Ladies HC TBA Cardigan Bay Aberystwyth University Run by WHU TBA Cardiff & The Vale Whitchurch High School Whitchurch HC TBA West Glamorgan Swansea University Swansea Bay HC TBA South Wales Valleys University of Glamorgan Howardian Ladies HC TBA Gwent Newport International Sports Village Newport HC TBA Pembrokeshire Fishguard Leisure Centre Run by Pembrokeshire CC TBA Brecon TBC Run by WHU TBA Please note: Venues, times and lead clubs can change from one season to another.
