Academy (AC)
There have been many changes to the Player Pathway that come into effect from September 2022. Talent Academies now replace Performance Centres. To find out more about the new Talent Strategy Click here
Academy Centre is a centralised county training programme and the next step on the Player Pathway ladder following Development Centres. Players will be selected from the Academy Centre assessment and invited to join the programme which will have training sessions and competition dates between September and April.
The programme runs over a longer period of time to allow greater opportinity for development and have multiple opportunities to represent the county in competitive environments against other West counties. All training times, dates, venues and the same for competition can be found within individual team pages under the 'Player Pathway' option in the menu bar. Age groups and squad volumes are listed below
2023-2024 Cycle
U14 - Sep 2009 - Aug 2011. School years 8 and 9. (May include exceptional year 7 players)
Squad of 25-28 including 2 GK's
to field 2x11aside- teams, narrowed down to 1 squad for final tournaments.
U15 - Sep 2008- Aug 2009 - School year 10
Squad of 18 outfield and 2 GK's
to field 1x11aside teams
U17- Combined U16 and U17 age group. Sep 2006 - Aug 2008 (Year 11 and 12).
Squad of 18 outfield and 2 GK's
to field 1x11aside teams
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From September 2017 the programme will take on less players than before to improve the quality of the training sessions through the condensing of coaching resources meaning those successful will receive a far superior programme than ever before. Why? As a county we want to try and create an oversupply of players to the next level (Talent Academy) and in time see more Devon players in the national squads. Its a long way off but we must start somewhere to see future success.
As places are fewer however, players must fully commit to the programme and give advanced notice of any absences. At the assessment not only will the initial squads be selected but a further 5 players for each group recorded incase replacements are needed somewhere along the cycle. We want to add more prestige to representing your county and are working with West Hockey to hopefully provide county cup competitons in future.
Players who do not progress to Talent Acadmey either within the year or by the following summer will be asked to re-enter the system the following September at AC Assessment level but the next age group up. The only exception is if you become too old for the system and therefore must seek the best student or club represenation to be selected for the National Development groups.
At this stage of the system, any queries about your sessions should be directed to the lead coaches but if you have any issues you can't ressolve please contact the Devon Player Pathway CoOrdinator.
AC 2023-2024 will cost £80 per person. Details of how to pay will be released soon.
Competitions dates will have a seperate match fees as not all players will play in all competition dates. Match fees will be £5 payable on the day to coaches.
Payment to be made via PP system/Club Buzz details to follow.
If for whatever reason this is not possible you can use BACs payment, please see details below.
DHA Single System Account
Nat West Exeter
Sort Code: 56-00-49
Account number: 32366280
