Bringing the Kent Hockey Association into line with England Hockey’s ‘Single System’ initiative we are launching five JDCs

What is a JDC?

What is the Single System?

When is it all happening?

What will the new pathway be?

Age Groups - how do I know which age group I am in?

Where is my nearest JDC?

How do I get involved in a JDC?

What is a JDC?
Bringing the Kent Hockey Association into line with England Hockey’s ‘Single System’ initiative, Kent is delighted to launch this year 2 new Junior Development Centres (JDCs). This will bring the number up to 8, covering most of the County! These will offer young players the opportunity to access consistent and quality coaching and give them the best possible chance of progressing further and representing their county.

What is the Single System?
The Single System is to provide young players with consistent, quality coaching across the nation and give a clear pathway from school and club hockey through to county, regional and national levels.

For more detailed information on the Single System please click here.

When is it all happening?
Activity for U12 and U15 age groups has begun this year (May 2010) following on from last years U13 and U14 age groups. Each year another age group will be added so that by 2012 all age groups follow the same format. Until their age group has been added, players will continue as they have done in the past by attending a number of trial sessions before gaining selection for the County side. 

The timetable for integrating the Single System is as follows:

• Sept 2009: U13s and U14s - all other age groups as normal
• Sept 2010: U12, U13s, U14s & U15s - all other age groups as normal
• Sept 2011: U12, U13s, U14s, U15s & U16s - all other age groups as normal
• Sept 2012: U12, U13s, U14s, U15s, U16s & U17s

What will the new pathway be?
Once the age group has been added to the Single System format, players will attend a Junior Development Centre (JDC) assessment session where they will be assessed over a number of areas.

Selected players will then complete a JDC programme working to a syllabus provided from England Hockey, which gives them the best possible preparation and chance of selection to the Junior Academy Centre (JAC) at the end of the JDC programme. 

In short the pathway through county hockey will become:

School and Club activity
JDC Assessment
JDC Programme
JAC Assessment
JAC Programme

At the end of the JAC programme the best players will be put forward for selection to the Junior Regional Performance Centre (JRPC).

Age Groups - how do I know which age group I am in?
Age restrictions do vary from sport to sport and also how school age groups are set out. For county hockey, the decision has been made and is very clear to help prevent players becoming ‘age-trapped’.  Please follow the guidelines set out below:

• Players born in ANY month in 1999 are U12s
  
• Players born in ANY month in 1998 are U13s
• Players born in ANY month in 1997 are U14s
• Players born in ANY month in 1996 are U15s
• Players born in ANY month in 1995 are U16s
• Players born in ANY month in 1994 are U17s

Where is my nearest JDC?
JDCs are currently located and supported by:

The JDCs aim to provide young players a 12 week programme of coaching and competition at a venue no longer than 30 minutes travel from their home.  Of course this may not be the case for every single player but as much as possible the travel time should be at a minimum.

All the JDCs will work to a syllabus provided by England Hockey to ensure the coaching is consistent.  Coaches are all fully qualified and CRB checked to provide the best and safest environment for players to train in.

How do I get involved in a JDC?
Each year in September, the JDCs will hold an assessment day when players are invited to come and be assessed for selection to the JDC. Email the centre nearest you for further information (Email address is located under 'Where is my nearest JDC'.

Selection criteria and assessment are consistent at all JDC’s as all coaches are given guidelines and training in accordance with England Hockey’s Single System syllabus.  If a player cannot make the assessment session they will be offered assessment at one of the early JDC training sessions to see if they should be selected.