General Policy
We support and promote England Hockey’s Player Pathway including implementing a Developmental Selection Policy and Equality Policy. A ‘junior’ player is any young person under 18 years old.
All junior players are encouraged to play at the highest level they can achieve and it is the club’s policy to actively promote this.

Juniors playing for seniors

Juniors must be aged 13+ (15+ for EHL), and be physically and psychologically ready to play in senior teams as assessed by their junior coach before they are invited to play.
Juniors must want to play in senior teams and have their parent’s agreement.
Junior players should regularly attend the relevant senior training to be available for
selection.
Juniors are expected to take senior training seriously, to listen and learn.
Junior players must commit to being available for the majority of games in order to be selected.
Junior players are expected to take part in all match day activities including teas after
the games.
Junior players must take responsibility for letting their captain know about their availability – especially if there is a problem on match days.
U16 players are encouraged to attend senior training as well as junior training.
U16’s may elect to play just for seniors but must pay a senior sub.
The club will appoint a junior monitoring panel in each section to regularly assess the progress of each child playing for the seniors and ensure they are playing in the appropriate senior team and deal with any issues where integration with the seniors is not perceived to work.

Choosing conflicting training sessions

Where there are clashing training sessions, the player should attend the session at the highest level for their ability as advised by their junior coach.
Juniors selected by the first three adult teams will normally train with that team unless they are also selected for the Academy. Juniors should consult with their coach or captain as to which session should take priority.

Transition to 11-a-side matches with adults

Development teams are used to introduce juniors to the 11-a-side game, with adults on the pitch to help coach positional and tactical play.
The Oxfordshire Development Leagues are used to introduce 11+ ages into full pitch hockey with an emphasis on positional/tactical play.
The Fireflies (Ladies) are used to introduce 13+ girls into league hockey as a stepping stone to full adult teams.
The Men’s 9th team are used to introduce 13+ boys into league hockey as a stepping stone to full adult teams.

Developing players of all abilities

Competitive hockey will normally begin for children in year 2 or later. Training can normally begin for children in year 1 or later.
It is the club’s policy to ensure that all players are encouraged to develop and play in teams whatever their ability. Leagues and friendly fixtures will be arranged accordingly.
These matches are played without adults on the pitch and our policy is to play juniors who otherwise would not get matches in higher leagues.
Where numbers permit, training will be, at the discretion of the age group lead coach, organised in ability groups for some or all of the training sessions.

Procedure to identify and promote high-performance players

The club will assess U10/11 players at the end of the season to identify High Performers (HP’s). These are players we would expect to reach at least JAC level.
It is the club’s policy to encourage HP’s to attend JDC when 1 year under the age group at their coach's discretion.
U12 – Provide training and games specifically for the HP’s. To prepare them for JDC/JAC and encourage them to attend.
U14 – Provide training and games specifically for the HP’s. Mentor players selected for
JRPC or above.
U16 - Provide training and games specifically for the HP’s. Mentor players selected for
JRPC or above. Monitor selection into senior teams.
U18 - Mentor players selected for JRPC or above. Monitor selection into senior teams.

Policy on moving talented players up an age group

In line with EH policy, players will not normally be moved up age groups although younger players may play in higher teams if the competition rules allow.
In exceptional circumstances, a coaching panel appointed by the Director of Hockey must agree to a proposed age group move

Selection policy

The club will enter sufficient competitions to ensure that all players can be selected for matches.
7-a-side teams are normally selected in groups in accordance with the club/school competition rules.
11 a side teams are selected by the age group lead coach and assistants on ability.
Where ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams are selected, players who are dropped must be notified and given areas to work on to regain their place.
Preference for selection may be given to those with better attendance at training.

Draft 2: 3 September 2014