This policy demonstrates Solihull Blossomfield Hockey Club’s commitment to the development of young players as they are the future of our club and of hockey in general and that the club will always act in the best interests of the individual.

The policy’s aim is to ensure that our young members are given every opportunity to reach their full potential whatever level that may be (international, regional, county, social or otherwise).

This policy states:

1.       The club will take a long term view of the development of all its young players in line with the principles of Long Term Athlete Development adopted within England Hockey Board’s Single System.

2.       The club will enforce that a player must have reached the age of 13 to be eligible to play in adult only competition.

3.       The club will enforce the England Hockey League (EHL) regulation stating that a player must have reached the age of 15 to be eligible to be registered to play in the EHL.

4.       Young players will not be called upon to play in adult only competition until it is in the best interest of the young player.  If an adult team is short and the only option is a young player who is not ready either physically, mentally or socially, then the adult team will play short.

5.       The club will abide by England Hockey Board recommendations regarding player eligibility and competition rules.

6.       The club will abide by the England Hockey Board centralised calendar and the priority this provides to ensure that young players at each stage of their development are given the opportunity to play and train at the right level for them without being overplayed.

7.       For young players eligible to be involved in adult teams, careful consideration will be given to ensure that the distance travelled is proportional to the likely pitch time for the young player.  As a guide, it is suggested that players who will play less than half a game should not travel for longer than 60 minutes.

8.       All selection will be made in line with the principles outlined in the EHB Equity Policy (Found within the Code of Ethics – RESPECT) and EHB Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy adopted by this club.