2026/27 Ministars & Talent Development Academy Applications

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 East Grinstead Hockey Club Ministars and Talent Development Academy (TDA) programme. 

Both programmes form an important part of our junior development pathway, providing selected players with additional, high-quality coaching alongside their regular age-group training.

The programme has been designed by our Premier League coaching team, bringing experience from the highest level of domestic hockey into a development programme specifically created for ambitious young players.

Following another hugely successful season for our junior section, we are resetting both programmes for 2026/27. All players wishing to take part must submit a new application, including those who were involved last season.

MINISTARS (U10 and U12)

Our Ministars programme is designed for younger players who are beginning to demonstrate strong potential within their age group.

The programme provides an additional development environment where players can build their technical foundations, confidence and understanding of the game.

Sessions place a strong emphasis on individual skill development, including ball carrying, receiving, passing, elimination skills, 1v1 play and decision-making.

Ministars is not simply about who is the strongest player right now. We are looking for juniors who demonstrate potential, enthusiasm, coachability and a genuine desire to improve.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY (U14)

Our Talent Development Academy is the next stage of our development pathway and is aimed at ambitious junior U14 players who have demonstrated the potential to progress towards a higher level of hockey.

TDA sessions provide a greater focus on advanced technical development, game understanding, decision-making and individual development.

Players should be comfortable being challenged and should arrive at sessions with a desire to learn, compete and improve.

Our aim is to help players develop the skills and behaviours required to progress within club, representative and talent pathway hockey.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE - INDOOR AND OUTDOOR

The 2026/27 programme will run from September 2026 through to July 2027 and will be split into six training blocks across the season.

A major feature of the programme is our emphasis on indoor hockey as a tool for individual player development.

Of the six training blocks:

Four blocks will take place indoors

Ministars Indoor Sessions 6-7pm at EGHC, TDA Indoor Sessions 7-8pm at EGHC.

Two blocks will take place outdoors

Ministars and TDA Outdoor Sessions will be 7.30pm to 8.30pm at EGHC.

All sessions take place on a Friday evening throughout the season.

Indoor hockey provides players with a fast-paced and highly technical environment in which they receive a large number of touches on the ball. The smaller playing area encourages quick decision-making, close control, accurate passing and receiving, 1v1 ability and confidence when playing under pressure.

We believe the combination of indoor and outdoor hockey provides an excellent environment for developing technically confident, adaptable and intelligent players.

Indoor Equipment

Players selected for the programme will be expected to have the appropriate equipment for indoor hockey.

This will include:

Indoor hockey stick

Left-handed indoor glove

Suitable non-marking indoor court shoes

Further information and guidance regarding indoor equipment can be provided following selection.

BUILDING ON A SUCCESSFUL 2025/26 SEASON

The 2025/26 season was another fantastic year for junior hockey at East Grinstead, with our players and teams enjoying success across indoor, outdoor and talent pathway hockey.

Some of our 2025/26 junior highlights included:

U14 Boys – Indoor Hockey UK London Grand Slam Silver Medal

 U12 Girls – Indoor Hockey UK London Grand Slam Gold Medal

U12 Girls – Indoor Hockey UK Championship Silver Medal

U10 Boys – Indoor Hockey UK Derby Grand Slam Silver Medal

U12 Girls – In2Hockey South East Regional Silver Medal

U12 Boys – In2Hockey South East Regional Bronze Medal

14 players nominated for Talent Academy from the TDA programme

1 player selected for an England National Age Group Squad (NAGS) trial

These achievements demonstrate the exciting progress being made throughout our junior section and the benefits of providing players with opportunities across different formats of the game.

However, success is about much more than medals and representative selections. Our biggest measure of success is seeing individual players improve, grow in confidence, challenge themselves and develop a lifelong enjoyment of hockey.

The Ministars and TDA programmes will look to build on this progress throughout 2026/27.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Selection for Ministars and TDA will consider much more than a player's current technical ability.

We are particularly interested in players who demonstrate:

1. Potential – qualities that suggest they can continue progressing.

2. Technical ability – a strong foundation of core hockey skills.

3. Coachability – an ability to listen, learn and apply feedback.

4. Attitude – positivity and a willingness to work hard.

5. Bravery – confidence to try new skills, take risks and make mistakes.

6. Game understanding – an increasing ability to recognise situations and make good decisions.

7. Commitment – enthusiasm for hockey and a desire to develop their game.

We recognise that young players develop at different rates and at different times. Selection is therefore not simply about identifying the strongest players today. We are looking for players who demonstrate the potential and behaviours to benefit from an additional development environment.

EGHC MEMBERS AND EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS

Applications are welcomed from both current East Grinstead HC members and players from outside the club.

We want our programmes to provide opportunities for talented and ambitious young players while continuing to support the development pathway available to our own junior members.

As places within Ministars and TDA are limited, current EGHC members will be given priority where programmes are oversubscribed.

External players are still strongly encouraged to apply and will be considered for available places based on their ability, potential, attitude and suitability for the programme.

SELECTION FOR 2026/ 27

Places within both programmes will be limited to ensure we can maintain the quality, intensity and individual attention within the training environment.

Importantly, all players must apply for the 2026/27 programme – including those who participated in Ministars or TDA during 2025/26.

Previous involvement does not automatically guarantee selection for 2026/27, and equally, players who have not previously been involved are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications will be reviewed by the EGHC coaching team alongside our existing knowledge and observation of players.

Where appropriate, players may also be invited to attend an assessment/trial session before final selections are made. This will be on Friday, September 10th at EGHC.

BEFORE APPLYING

We ask that both the player and parent/guardian discuss the application before submitting it.

We want players to join these programmes because they want to develop their hockey, challenge themselves and get better.

Please also consider the commitment involved. The programme runs across the majority of the 2026/27 season, from September through to July, and players selected will be expected to make a strong commitment to attending their training blocks.

The application form will ask about the player's hockey experience, their strengths, areas they would like to improve and why they would like to be part of the programme.

Above all, we are looking for young players with potential who love their hockey and want to get better.

READY TO APPLY?

Please complete the 2026/27 Ministars & Talent Development Academy Application Form using the link below.

Applications close: 23.00 Monday, September 7th

Application Form: LINK HERE

Submitting an application does not guarantee a place within either programme. All applications will be reviewed by the EGHC coaching team following the application deadline.

We look forward to welcoming the next group of ambitious young players and helping them take the next step in their hockey development.