The Player Pathway was introduced by England Hockey in 2017 and is designed to provide an environment which helps all junior players to realise their potential be that as a club player, volunteer, coach, umpire or representing their county, region, England or Great Britain.
County Hockey Associations are responsible for the governance and delivery of the first two levels of the Player Pathway.
- Development Centres (DCs) are the first level in the Pathway. Players are nominated by their club or school to attend centres. Following the DC sessions, some players will be selected for further assessment for the Academy Centres.
- Academy Centres (ACs) are the second level in the Pathway. Where players have the opportunity to represent their County at U14, U15, U16 and U17 levels.
In partnership with the Counties, the West support the organisation of the County Team (Academy) competitions for the West County Academies at U14, U15, U16 and U17 level.
The Talent Development strategy “A New Way Forward” will replace the Player Pathway at the end of the 2021-2022 season. Whilst parts of the Pathway will disappear, the DCs and ACs will remain and run alongside, and complement, the new Talent Centres and Talent Schools. For further information on the Talent Development can be found here.