Hampshire Game Changers
‘’Hampshire Game Changers’’ is a pilot Hampshire Player Pathway programme for field players aimed at early talent identification across the county.
The program aims to bring together players at U9, U10 & U11 age brackets from clubs across the county and put them into an environment where they are offered an opportunity to be stretched by active Hampshire Player Pathway appointed coaches. It will provide a neutral setting where the primary focus is to improve the players hockey, understanding, and technique, before they enter the county system at U13.
The programme will consist of 4 x 90min sessions where they will fine tune their basic core skills as well be introduced to some advanced skills and how they execute them within gameplay scenarios.
This is a pilot programme for field players only, so it will evolve over time through participation and feedback, but at its core we are aiming to offer opportunity for young players with potential a neutral environment outside of the club season where they can continue to build on the promise they have shown throughout the season.
It is anticipated that we will do something similar for goalkeepers in the future.
How it works
3 age groups per gender:
- U9 boys & girls
- U10 boys & girls
- U11 boys & girls
Sessions are 1.5 hours long:
- 10:00-11:30 - U9s
- 11:30-13:00 - U10s
- 13:00-14:30 - U11s
4 Dates:
- 26 April 2025
- 03 May 2025
- 10 May 2025
- 17 May 2025
Coaching
- 3 Hampshire PP coaches per session
- 1 Club appointed coach per session
- We're inviting clubs to enter up to 3 players per age group per gender, so 3xU9 boys, 3xU9 girls, 3xU10 boys and so on.
- We also require each club to bring a coach along to participate in the session. This will ensure the kids have a familiar face on the pitch and that the development can continue at club after the programme is finished.
- Because of the age of the children, a parent or appointed responsible person must stay pitchside during the session, although the ultimate responsibility for the players will be with the club coach.
Cost and administration
- The cost will be £40 per player for the 4 sessions - this will include a t-shirt
- Hampshire will not be asking parents or players to register:
- We will invoice the club for the number of players entered at the point of registration.
- Clubs can add or remove players from their entries until 2 weeks before the first session. After that day, no more players can be added and no refunds will be given for any players dropping out.
Coaching
Hampshire PP will provide 3 experienced player pathway coaches for all sessions. The programme is designed and will be led by our Performance Director, Dave Miles and the other 2 coaches will be be experienced DC and AC coaches.
Clubs will be required to have a coach present for each session. This can be the same coach for all sessions, or a different coach for each session, Clubs are also welcome to send more than one coach per session. Please indicate the names and contact details of all coaches attending.
If your appointed coach drops out at the last minutes, another will need to take their place.
Player numbers
It is important to note that, although the sessions will be fun and friendly, the programme is designed to develop promising players and is not intended to be a child minding session or a money spinner for Hampshire.
As such, numbers will be carefully monitored and clubs will be limited to 3 players per age group, per gender until we have had all expressions of interest. If, at that point, the numbers allow for it, we may be able to accept more players from clubs if required.
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