Player Pathway

An environment that helps all junior players realise their potential, whether that means they are the best club player they can be, seek a lifelong commitment to the game through coaching or volunteering or perhaps go on to represent their country.

Our playing squads cover age groups (boys and girls):  U12, U13, U14, U15 & U18

Northumberland Hockey run Academy Centre groups for players aged 11 to 18, providing 8 training sessions and 3 or 4 competition days per season.

Players attend high quality coaching environments learning a range of skills in a competitive but fun environment.

Regular competition against Durham, North/South/West Yorkshire and Humber, provides excellent age appropriate match experience for players.  

How to get involved

Players are usually nominated to attend an Academy Centre by their school or club coaches, they will be asked to participate in a pre-season open trial.

Players can be nominated from the ages of 11-18

Players who consistently demonstrate strong skills and commitment are invited to the Academy Centre.

If you are not selected for an Academy Centre do not worry, you should continue to develop your hockey through school, club and Development Centre activity. You may be nominated to attend an Academy Centre later in the season and can be nominated at any age group.

2026/2027 Season

We will be running teams for boys and girls in each of the following age groups: U12, U13, U14, U15 and U18.  Although we will not be offering an U16 age group, U16 players are invited to trial for the U18 squad.

Registration for the U12, U13, U14, U15 and U18 age group trials is now open (see respective links below).  Please register at least two days before the indicated trial date so that coaches can plan the session.

Over the course of the season, county players will be expected to attend all 6 training sessions as well as county tournament days – the latter usually take place on Sundays, and are sometimes proximate to exam weeks. Please do not attend trials if you are unable to regularly commit to training and matches. 

County trial dates

County players will be selected following two trials and players are expected to attend both dates, regardless of whether they have previously played in a county squad.  

The trials will take place at The Royal Grammar School pitches, Newcastle, NE2 4DX. Entry details will be circulated to those who have registered interest.

Registration and payment: this will be managed through the Teamo App, once downloaded to your device, you will be able to register and join your child to the respective playing squad using the link / code indicated.  If your child is already registered on Teamo, search for the respective age group squad and link them to it.  If you have any issues, message Lyn Watkins through the app.

Times  

U12 girls: Sunday 20th Sept 13:15-14:15 & Friday 25th Sept 18:30-19:30 Teamo code TRGR3.

U12 boys: Sunday 20th Sept 13:15-14:15 & Monday 21st Sept 18:30-19:30 Teamo code TTW4C.

U13 girls: Sunday 20th Sept 12:00-13:00 & Sunday 27th Sept 14:00-15:15 Teamo code TRGR5.

U13 boys: Friday 18th Sept 19:45-21:00 & Sunday 20th Sept 10:45-11:45 Teamo code TRGR4.

U14 girls: Friday 18th Sept 18:30-19:45 & Friday 25th Sept 18:30-19:45 Teamo code TRGR7.

U14 boys: Friday 18th Sept 19:45-21:00 & Sunday 20th Sept 10:45-11:45 Teamo code TRGR6.

U15 girls: Monday 14th Sept 19:45-21:00 & Monday 21st Sept 19:45-21:00 Teamo code TRGR8. 

U15 boys: Monday 14th Sept 18:30-19:45 & Sunday 20th Sept 09:30-10:45 Teamo code TRGR9.

U18 girls: Monday 14th Sept 19:45-21:00 & Monday 21st Sept 19:45-21:00 Teamo code TRGRB.

U18 boys: Monday 14th Sept 18:30-19:45 & Sunday 20th Sept 09:30-10:45 Teamo code TRGRA.

Cost £10 per session payable through the Teamo app or cash on the day.

What to wear

Players need to wear clothing to enable them to play hockey - strictly no county kit, club kit or school kit is to be worn.  Shin pads and gum shields must be worn. You must bring our own stick. Goal keepers should bring their own kit – this can sometimes be borrowed from a school or club. Remember to bring drinks and snacks (No nuts, please, as we have players with nut allergies attending). If you have additional needs that our selectors may need to take into account, please notify us by email: secretary@northumberlandhockey.org; we want to make trials accessible to every hockey player who is keen to take part.

Spectators and Emergency Contact Numbers

If a player’s emergency contact is leaving the site, please ensure that an emergency contact number is left at registration. 

Spectators may stay and watch from outside the pitch area; no spectators are allowed within the fenced pitch.  If you are watching, please be supportive and respectful to your child, other children, the officials involved and the coaches.

What do the Selectors Look for?

Selectors will watch all players in their sessions, multiple times. They are looking at: attitude, desire, skill level, teamwork, sportsmanship, and each player’s understanding of the game. 

When will I Know the Outcome of Trials?

We hope to let players know the outcome of the trials within 2 weeks. Due to the numbers of players involved in the trials, we are unable to provide feedback.

Northumberland County Hockey  Association is a voluntary organisation,  we will endeavour to respond to emails and questions as soon as possible.