Chance for youngsters to develop skills

Oct 23 2008

Young hockey players who want to improve their skills can get a helping hand thanks to Cannock Hockey Club.

Coaches at the club are now running a Junior Development Centre (JDC) which aims to improve core skills and develop fitness and understanding of the game.

The club is looking for current players and new starters who want to join the JDC from U13 to U17. There are up to 14 hours of top coaching available, at £1 per hour, with coaching running up until Christmas. The development system will start again in the New Year and will become a key part of the hockey calendar.

Coach Jamie Fleet said: “The key to the new Junior Development Centre is this gives everyone a chance to develop into top class hockey players.”

The development system means it is possible for players to progress from their club or school team right through to international level.

Players from Cannock JDC will play against other JDCs and some will be selected to go on further and join Junior Academy Centres across the country. One of these centres will also be based at Cannock Hockey Club. From there, players can be chosen to go to one of 12 Junior Regional Performance Centres and ultimately at U16 and U18 train with the national squads.

The next session at Cannock Hockey Club will be on Sunday, October 26, with U13 boys and girls from 10am-midday, U15 boys and girls 12-2pm and U17 boys and girls from 2-4pm. Further sessions will be held on: Friday, November 7, from 6-7pm, 7-8pm and 8-9pm; on Sunday, November 16; Sunday, November 23; Friday, November 28, and Sunday, December 7.

For further information contact Jamie Fleet via the club on 01543 502424 or see the England Hockey website.