Talent Academy @ Surbiton HC

Talent development at England Hockey traditionally followed a linear pathway as players progressed via county, regional and into national teams.

England Hockey created a new talent pathway for the 22/23 season as they recognised that talent development is a non-linear, long-term process. Their aim is to support more flexible high quality environments where juniors can thrive. EH are aiming to identify and develop a phenomenal generation of players which the hockey community of England and Great Britain are proud of.

Talent Academies (TAs) are not designed to replicate the previous system’s Performance Centre environment, but are environments designed to challenge an appropriate pool of high potential athletes.

TAs will provide exceptional talent development environments that deliver regular, year round provision to the highest potential U15-U18 players (Year 10-13). Nationwide, this caters for around 1,000 athletes.

Every Talent Academy will have a squad of players selected through a robust process based on the England Hockey Player Profile. These players will be nominated by Clubs, Schools and Counties, broadening the access routes into the highest levels of hockey development. Please click here to see the EH Talent System update.

As Surbiton HC embark on the Talent Academy journey, we strive to provide a fair and impartial selection process within an environment which will be an improvement on past systems.

Previously, players who were not initially selected, felt as if the door was closed permanently. This is something that we have changed and our coaches have ongoing communications with club/school/county coaches as these players progress.

Initial nominations is from schools, clubs, counties via the EH nomination process.

The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC will hold multiple talent identification events each season and these events will be communicated to all nominators directly and via the EH website.

The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC follows the EH Talent Academy Guidelines for Player Identification & Selection. Please click here to view.

The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC will ensure the most appropriate decisions are made about where and how selected players develop and play their hockey based on the RARE (right athlete, right environment) principle.

Please find the Surbiton TA selection policy here

England Hockey's Talent Academy Player Selection Review Process is available here 

There will be both a boys and girls squad with 25-35 players per squad. In addition to full TA squad members, there will be England Age Group affiliated members.

There will be approximately 40 training sessions per year with at least six regional fixtures throughout the season plus an End of Cycle Festival.

Please note that this structure may differ to other Talent Academies.

Selection for the regional fixtures will be divided equally amongst squad members. Selection for the end of cycle festival will be made by the head coach of each squad.

The end of cycle festival will be run by EH (There will a fee of approx. £200 payable to EH for this).

Please note that affiliated EAG players may be eligible to play in the End of Cycle Festival.

The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC will run a mentor programme which will consists of both group and individual sessions throughout the season.

The cost of the Talent Academy Programme is £795 per year, which is payable in three termly instalments via Teamo.

Compulsory kit will include a shirt, shorts/skort and socks at a cost of approximately £80.

Financial Assistance
The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC is committed to providing financial assistance to those players that would otherwise be unable to engage in the programme or to purchase equipment.

Please see the Financial Assistance document here for details.

England Hockey Hardship Fund
England Hockey also have a Hardship Fund that players may be able to access; please see information and application below:

England Hockey Hardship Fund

Hardship Fund Application Form

Bursaries & Grants

Surrey Playing Fields offer bursaries to young athletes in elite sports aged between 10 and 20 years old who need a helping hand to improve in their chosen sport. You can read more here.

Elmbridge Sports Council Grant Aid Is an annual grant targeted towards encouraging sporting achievement in the borough. Talented individuals are invited to apply. A total of £10,000 is awarded each year with awards of up to £350 per individual are available to be put towards their training, travelling, competition costs and purchase of equipment. Individuals must have a supporting letter from a club or coach. Click here for more information.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All young people have the right to be safe and enjoy their Hockey.

The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable and inclusive talent development environment with a duty of care for every individual's wellbeing.

We have a strictly enforced Safeguarding Policy which all players, coaches, managers and parents are directed to read and use as reference for any issues that might be of concern.

The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC safeguarding policies and procedures are in line with the Surbiton HC policies. Please click here for all Surbiton HC policies including privacy, data protection, equity, diversity and inclusion and codes of conduct.

All Safeguarding and Welfare issues and concerns should be directed to The Talent Academy at Surbiton HC’s Safeguarding and Welfare Officer Ellie de Heer: TAsafeguarding@surbitonhc.com

Please click here for the 2023/24 calendar of activity for Surbiton HC's Talent Academy

You can contact us on talentacademy@surbitonhc.com