Talent Academy
Talent academies provide a high-performance training environment for the highest potential 15-18 year old boys and girls as part of the England Hockey Player Pathway. Throughout the season, players train as a group midweek with contact time increasing towards the summer. After Christmas, there is also a programme of regular match play against other Talent Academies.
In addition to hockey training sessions, players also participate in off-pitch sessions including video analysis, goal-setting and talks from WHC Ambassadors.
At the end of the season, in July, there is the Talent Academy festival, where talent academies compete against each other with England selectors present. Following this tournament, players may be invited to England Age Group trials and further assessment.
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Selection for the Talent Academy is based on three phases:
1. Open Trial - An initial assessment designed to take baseline information regarding suitability for the Talent Academy. A ‘wider net’ approach is taken to ensure that those who will benefit from progressing to Extended Look, are given the opportunity.
2. Extended Look - An opportunity to have 4-6 sessions with Talent Academy Coaches in the early part of the 25/26 season. This process will ensure athletes have time to find their feet with the process and show what they can do. The coaches will also have a better understanding of the athlete’s confidence levels, ability to learn and ability to apply instruction as a result.
3. Selection for the Talent Academy - At October Half Term 2025, the selection of around 30 athletes for the TA will be confirmed.
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For more information please contact ta@twchockey.co.uk
Trials process
The first set of trials take place at the beginning of the season in September. Players can be nominated for a Talent Academy trial by their school, club or county, who will all be informed of the relevant date by which to nominate players for trials.
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Our second set of trials will take place after Christmas following a nomination from the players club or school.
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We will have a series of trials in order to best assess all players capabilities, following which players will be informed of the outcome via email. Feedback will be able to be requested following the trials process.
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We will have 'last look' trials on 27th November. This is for players who were not nominated earlier in the season but who clubs, schools, or counties believe warrant consideration for the current cycle.
Players can be nominated via England Hockey nomination form
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Nominations for the next cycle will be open December 2025 - February 2026
Our Talent Academy coaches have a range of expertise, from international experience to high performance coaching
Meet the Team
Training and Fixtures
Training takes place over an 8-month window, with many regional fixtures taking place against other Talent Academies. The season ends with a summer festival where all Talent Academies from around the country compete.
Strength and Conditioning
Alongside skill and technical training, strength and conditioning offers players an opportunity to develop autonomy within physical development through the guidance of S&C coaches,
Seminars
Opportunities to learn about high-performance sport as well as sport psychology and technical elements of hockey.