The Sutton Coldfield Talent Academy is looking for talented young players aged 14-18 (Y9 to Y13) to join our program! Here's how you can be considered:

Open Nominations:
Players can be nominated by their clubs, schools, or counties during the England Hockey open nomination period from November to May. England Hockey Talent Academy Nominations are now open
Open Talent ID Sessions: We will hold up to three open Talent ID sessions from January and June. Players nominated through the open process will be invited to attend these sessions.
Assessment Phase: Those who perform well in the Talent ID sessions will be nominated to attend the main assessment phase in September. Players already in the program will also be assessed at this time.

Selection Process:

We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process.

Multiple Assessments: You can attend multiple Talent ID sessions throughout the season to account for rapid player development.
Decision Processes and Communication:
We will notify all players of selection decisions after the completion of the Talent ID sessions (by the end of July) and after the assessment phase (by the end of September).
Following each Talent ID session we will however provide guidance on current progress and the potential benefits of attending further sessions.
A player may as a result of a talent ID session be invited for further evaluation immediately within the Talent Academy Program or be added nominated to the assessment stage in September (further attendance at Talent ID sessions will be optional)

Even if not selected, we will seek to check in with your coaches and monitor your progress.

For Un-Nominated Players:
If your coach hasn't nominated you, encourage them to contact us to discuss an assessment.

Beyond Selection:

Player Tracking: All players attending talent ID sessions will be entered into the England Hockey talent platform.
Right Athlete, Right Environment (RARE): We are willing to work with your existing teams to ensure your development flourishes in the most suitable environment.
Playing for Host Club: Being selected for Sutton Coldfield TA does not require you to join or play for the host club.

Selection Resources:

Selection Policy: We have a detailed selection policy available (link to be added).
England Hockey Resources: See England Hockey's Talent Academy Player Selection Review Process https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/play/talent-system/talent-documents

Costs and Contact:
The Talent ID events cost approximately £30 per session.
Contact: For any questions, please contact us at tamanager@suttoncoldfieldhc.co.uk.