Development Centre training is an introduction to county hockey for girls and boys, leading to selection for the 2025-26 Staffordshire county squads on 14 and 21 September.
These sessions are open to current county players and new juniors who want to try out for Staffs County.
There are 3 DC training bases:
- South - Willenhall E-Act Academy
- Central - Trentham Academy
- North - Leek Hockey Club
What are the minimum/maximum ages for attending DC training?
- From school year 6 to school year 11.
How good at hockey should my child be to attend DC?
- Players should have a good basic skill level for their age group and should be confident in their play.
- DC training is preparation for county-level competition, so more advanced gameplay will be covered, not basic skills.
How much does DC training cost?
- £6/hour.
- Before attending, please register on the Staffs County Talent Pathway and sign up to GoCardless.
- When you sign up, you will get an email to also join the DC WhatsApp Group.
Can my child attend all the sessions? Do they have to attend a certain number?
- There is no maximum or minimum limit.
- The dates are staggered so that players can attend as many dates as they like.
- Each DC centre (North, Central, South) will offer 12 hrs of coaching.
- Selection for teams takes place in September, for which attending DC training will be beneficial, although not essential.
My child is already in a county team. Do they need to attend DC training?
- No, it's optional.
- County players who wish to attend DC needn't sign up to ClubBuzz again. You will see the DC dates in the ClubBuzz calendar when they are confirmed.
Are there selection trials after DC training?
- Yes, on 14th and/or 21st September, depending on the age group.
- There is no guarantee that your child will be picked for the county team, but committed players are encouraged to keep trying for selection each year.
- All 2024-25 county squad players should also attend September trials, as re-selection is not guaranteed if numbers are high.
- Selection trials will be held at the following locations:
- U13 Girls - Cannock HC
- U13 Boys - Trentham Academy
- U14 Girls - Cannock HC
- U14 Boys - Trentham Academy
- U15 Girls - Lichfield HC
- U15 Boys - Willenhall E-ACT Academy
- U16/17 Girls - Lichfield HC
- U16/17 Boys - Willenhall E-ACT Academy
My child is already in a county team. Do they need to attend selection trials in September?
- Yes, existing county players should attend the selection trials for 2025-26 county squads.
- Trial dates: 14th and/or 21st September (date to be confirmed, depending on age group).
- These are the first county dates of the new season. They also double as selection trials for both new players and 2024-25 squad players.
- Re-selection of 2024-25 squad county players is not guaranteed if numbers are high.
Do I need to buy the red Staffordshire playing kit?
- No, not unless your child is selected in September.
- Players can attend DC in whatever kit they attend club training.
- You can purchase an optional DC training shirt in traditional Staffs green with initials & number, which can also be used as an alternative top for colour clashes.
- Players selected in September can then buy a red top.
- Those not selected can wear their green tops to play / train in further DC sessions.
- Link to order optional Staffs green DC kit: https://www.stashhockey.co.uk/product-category/staffordshire-dc/
What happens if my child isn't selected for county in September?
- For players up to U14 age group (up to and inc. school year 9) who are not selected in September, DC training and matches may continue throughout the 2025-26 season.
- However, this depends on player numbers and availability of coaches.
- For unselected players above Under-14, there will be no further DC provision until summer 2026.
This page is being continually updated.
