From the 2025/2026 season we are re-structuring our youth training to provide clearer Talent Foundation and Talent Development environments for our young people. Please find training times here.

What is the difference between a Talent Foundations and Talent Development environment?

Good question! Talent Foundations are just that, the foundation of which we want the young people to build their lifelong enjoyment, build consistency as a whole player, encourage 'good' mistakes and ensure there is respect to all involved in the sport and begin to lead.
Talent Development is the next stage, where the training environment will start to challenge, support a player to start to self-analyse, be curious and starting to complete a wide range of player qualities with consistency.

How will St Albans HC achieve this?
Sunday's and mid-weeks training approach will be slightly different, please refer to the St Albans HC Youth Pathway graphic:

In the bi-monthly mid-week session called CONNECT, a player will be within their age group to train and focusing on a Talent Foundation and leadership. The other bi-monthly sessions are called CHALLENGE, this will be where they will train in a appropiate training environments across two age groups.

This format is to continue the social connections and positive environments within our age group training and combine an opportunity for stretch across a larger talent pool to develop our talent development.

Your Pitchero training sessions will highlight which session you are attending.

Right Athlete Right Environment (RARE) principles
This brings us on to how best we, as stakeholders (parents, coaches, teachers, etc) in a young players playing journey, can support and guide them to navigate when it's appropriate to enter into different playing environments. For example, here are a few questions we may consider:

• Is it the right time for this players' confidence to be selected into a team that plays in the league above where it will be a faster pace and more physical (potentially)?
• When is it the right time for my son/daughter to be playing adult hockey?
• What combination of club, school, County Hockey, Talent Academy, National programme environments are best for me/my child?
• How does this session/activity/game impact on a player’s hockey programme and overall ‘load’?

Each person is different, and when you add other sporting commitments, school work, social needs, family into consideration it can feel like alot. St Albans HC, in partnership with the parents and all other stakeholders need to ensure there is transparency and ensure the players needs are a priority when discussing current and future steps.