Talent Certified Club Announcement November 2025

Talent Certification is part of England Hockey’s (EH) initiative to embed good practice across the country in ensuring purposeful development of all club players and the environment they’re in.
SAHC is one of 11 clubs in year 2 of a 5-year Talent Certification accreditation process, having spent year 1 building the foundations set by EH. These foundations cover 7 key areas being coaching, talent development environment, player development and wellbeing, leadership, culture, communication with stakeholders and Equality Diversity and Inclusion.
In Year 2, SAHC will be building on the year 1 foundations, focusing on EH prescribed modules covering ‘Stakeholder engagement’, ‘Performance good habits’ and ‘Hockey IQ’.

What is an England Hockey Talent Centre? July 2023

St Albans HC is currently working towards a Talent Centre accreditation (to be confirmed in August 2025). We have made huge strides in our youth development over the past 3 years and by partnering with England Hockey, we have been able to gain support to maintain and develop our provision and standards across our coaching, welfare, policies, talent identification, club culture, and a multitude of areas of the whole club.

It is an accreditation which is monitored by England Hockey to ensure we have a long-term action plan to nurture all U18s, so players can thrive in a Talent Foundation environment (club, county or school), build sustainable enjoyment in the sport and build confidence as a person. As an extension of this, are striving to ensure there is a clear Talent Development pathway for 12-15 year olds through the club, including transition into adult hockey. In their teenage years would be the time to consider whether it is the right moment for them to be exposed to a performance level, whether that is through our own club talent pathway or through the England Hockey Talent System.

At St Albans HC, in partnership with England Hockey we endeavour to create an environment to support the development of the below Person and Player Qualities: