Academy
2009-10
LATEST NEWS (Updated 4th February 2010)
Please note that there is no normal Academy session during Half term week (15th Feb). Sessions then continue until March 29th.
There is, however a game v Kent U16 boys on Feb 15th. You have had an email about this.
Bad Weather
If weather is ever really really bad, check this website for confirmation that training is on that week before you leave home. We aim to advise of any cancellation by 4pm on training days.
Coaches Confirmed
We are pleased to confirm the following coaches for the Autumn term:
Head Coach - David Bridle Level 2. David is a EH Centrally contracted coach and Head Coach for East Grinstead Ladies First team.
Assistant Coach - Roy Taylor - level 2. Roy is also an EH appointed coach for the Tonbridge JRPC and one of Sevenoaks Junior Hockey Club's senior coaches.
Junior coaches - Nick Barker, Chris Barker - Twins Nick & Chris are Sevenoaks First team players who went through the Academy 3 years ago. They made Junior international status with England U18s. They are currently on gap years before Uni.
In addition there will be guest coaches during the two Academy terms from the world of Hockey.
Congratulations
To Ollie Ashdown and Will Furlong for selection to the U15 HiPac (Hi performance Centre) at Lilleshall. One step towards the National Age group squads! Well done guys.
Pete Barker (Academy Manager)
SUCCESS FOR EX-ACADEMY STARS 2009
George Torry, Chris & Nick Barker and Caroline Crawford will all be representing England U18 in the UK School games in cardiff in September. In the Men's U18 side Sevenoaks has 3 out of the 16 squad members and all are Ex-Academy. Well done guys and girls.
Sophie Crosley is a regular memebr of the England girls U16 squad.
Academy 2009-10 Application Process
We now invite applications from suitable players. If you are considering applying we would ask you to carefully review the qualifying eligibility criteria below so that nominated players are not disappointed. Those players put forward will be invited to a screening session on September 21st at Tonbridge School Foundation Astro 6-8pm from which the final Academy squad will be selected by our lead coach, David Bridle and other qualified coaches from the club skilled in selection both in men’s and ladies hockey. Players who were in the Academy last season must still re-apply for this term. Players who have previously applied and were unsuccessful are welcome to re-apply providing they meet the eligibility criteria.
In order to be considered the following eligibility criteria will apply:
Ability, Attitude, “Coach-ability” and Ambition.
The coaching sessions are designed around a lot of independent work and peer led feedback. Under these conditions high personal standards and self motivation are essential.
We are reverting this year to the format from the first two years of the Academy with a single-group session lasting 1.5hrs. Within this group coaching will be split according to age & ability. As a guide we are looking for players who:
- Are playing at or close to County Standard (at least U15/U16/U17 Level) or who have ambitions to achieve this.
- Have ambitions of playing National League / International Hockey
- Playing ‘competitive’ 1st team school hockey.
If you are a player and would like to apply, or have been advised to consider applying by your school sports teachers or Club coach, please click on the link below to download an application form which should be returned asap and by September 17th at the latest to Peter Barker, acting Academy manager at pete.r.barker@btinternet.com or if you do not have access to email by post to the address shown on the application form. Please note that the club's new website only enables us to provide pdf-documents to download. This means you will have to download the form, print it off, complete it and return it by post to the address shown on the form, or, alternatively if you have access to a scanner, scan the completed document to your computer and return it by email as an attachment. Sorry!
The Academy is open to girls and boys. The coaches will screen the applications to ensure that eligibility criteria are met prior to confirming a place at the screening session. School coaches/teachers are welcome to speak direct to David Bridle, lead coach (contact details below) if they want any advice before nominating someone.
David Bridle: david_bridle@hotmail.com
Tel: 07793 409398
The age of players to be considered is U15 - U17 years for boys and girls. This is based on age as at 1st September 2009 with a minimum age of 14 years.
Please note that this age range has changed. However we will still consider applications from those whose age falls just outside these limits on an individual basis.
The cost of the Academy is £80 per term and £30 for Goalkeepers (although they attend on a minimum of 3 occasions with a dedicated goal-keeping coach).
The Academy is not intended to replace membership of any local club junior section nor is there any need whatsoever to become a member of Sevenoaks Hockey club. Indeed we welcome members from other local clubs, schools and colleges.
If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact Peter Barker, Academy Manager - details at the bottom of this page
To download an application form click here
To download a Consent form click here
**PLEASE NOTE THESE LINKS WILL NOT FUNCTION AFTER 1.1.2010**
Backgound to the Academy
Sevenoaks Hockey Club set up an Academy in 2005 for boys U15-U17 and girls U16-U18 (Ages as at 1st September).
The aim of the Academy is to:
- Identify our brightest stars in the Sevenoaks/Tonbridge catchment area and provide intensive quality coaching through the Academy, so that they can flourish and develop to their full potential. Results since the Academy started in 2005 have been very encouraging and we believe many juniors (both girls and boys) have improved enormously as a result. Several now play in their club first teams and four (Three boys - George Torry, Chris & Nick Barker and one girl - Sophie Crosley) have achieved national recognition with selection for England U18 & U16).
- Develop the player’s technical skills and tactical awareness.
- Provide a suitable level of coaching for the elite junior players (both boys and girls), to develop their skills beyond those taught at school and club level.
- Coach, nurture and develop these players to the point that they are ready and strong enough to play hockey at England Hockey National League level
- Develop a prestigious image for the SHC Academy thereby making it a highlight for young players to be invited to join it.
- Develop an association and link with the top schools (and their coaches) in the area, with a view to attracting and retaining the elite junior players in the area.
We do appreciate that some players may already be members of another local club. The Academy is not intended to replace membership of any club junior section nor is there any need whatsoever to become a member of Sevenoaks Hockey Club. We simply wish to provide intense Academy-style coaching to the top young players in the area. Competition to join the Academy is always very tough as we seek to only attract the ‘elite’
If you have any queries please email Peter Barker at pete.r.barker@btinternet.com via contact form below
Peter Barker
Sevenoaks Hockey Academy Manager
Tel: 07525 835743 (Mobile)
