WOMEN’S NEXTGEN OVERVIEW

The Field Hockey Canada NextGen Program is a talent assessment and development philosophy focused on identifying and nurturing the next generation of performance-development athletes through collaboration with the key stakeholders; athletes, parents, clubs, Provincial Sport Organizations and FHC. Designed for players approximately 4 to 8 years away from senior national team impact, the approach provides a pathway to help young players reach their goals within field hockey.

At its core, the NextGen Program is dedicated to long-term athlete support and development, to create a life-long affinity to the game and giving players the best opportunities to reach their goals. Through research led and principles driven approach athletes will receive support to:

• Navigate the multiple and often competing demands they face as young people
• Individual development plans
• Technical and tactical skill refinement
• Strength and conditioning program
• Mental performance training
• Nutrition and recovery education

The program partners with athletes, parents, clubs and Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs) to align coaching and development principles nationwide, enabling progression for athletes through their individual contexts and the varying stages of their journey.

A central component of talent development is international experience. Youth tournaments give athletes early exposure to high-level competition, helping them to better understand and adapt to the demands of the international game. In doing so the aim is to create greater clarity as to the qualities and skills required as part of their individual performance-development journey.

The NextGen athlete pool is the foundation for Canada’s future success, feeding into Junior and Youth National Teams and ultimately preparing athletes to excel at the senior international level.

The Women’s NextGen National Program brings together top young female athletes from across Canada, providing targeted developmental opportunities and meaningful competition designed to progress their game and prepare them for the world stage.

TALENT IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION & SELECTION

The focus will be on system-wide activation with delivery of the Talent Development System activated at all levels: club, provincial, and national. Field Hockey Canada will play a system leadership role, providing performance development training.

Athletes will be identified into the program through the following primary routes:

the national championships or,
through the provincial pathway, or,
club/PSO nomination, or,
national talent development system evaluations

Assessment principles which account for both current performance levels and future potential will identify athletes to be invited to participate in camps in their regions. There will be a series of outdoor and indoor camps throughout each year. The approach is inclusive and focused on long term, individual development. In keeping with the talent assessment principles, athletes who are not invited to camp will still have the opportunity, if they wish, to compete for entry at subsequent points. This principle reflects an understanding that individuals develop at different rates, creating more opportunities for future development and retaining players within both the sport and the talent pathway. As part of the developmental pathway athletes will have on-going developmental plans which will be reviewed quarterly to reflect their own unique developmental journeys.

FIELD HOCKEY CANADA TALENT DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES – W.O.L.F.

Winding Journey – Players develop at different rates and in different contexts. The pathway is designed to recognise and work with players changing contexts.

Optimized Learning – Pathway coaches and administrators will use and foster evidence-based learning and skill development environments.

Long-Term Approach – Pathway will be long-term development focussed, NOT tournament driven.

Flourishing and Fulfilling – Player centred. The best interests of the player at that time to help guide all athlete pathway decisions.

FIELD HOCKEY CANADA Assessment PRINCIPLES

• Type and nature of assessment meets needs of long-term player development (not tournament focused selection).
• Assessment should be made over multiple opportunities and using multiple eyes (triangulating of views).
• Assessments of players will be made in contexts that are as representative of the game as possible, or within actual games (assessing hockey playing ability within match like contexts).
• Assessment is about BOTH current performance AND future potential.

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE & COMPETITION NEWS

Upcoming camps, youth tour information and a comprehensive schedule will be posted here.

STAFF & CONTACT

NextGen Director – Andrea Gibson [agibson@fieldhockey.ca]

Talent Pathway Lead – Mike Van Iderstine [FHCNextGen@fieldhockey.ca]