**WANTED** players for the Development Team for the ladies... the Terriettes maybe???

Dear Ladies

One of the benefits of a larger club is that we should be able to retain and progress our juniors to enjoy hockey a lifelong love of hockey playing to the best of their ability. With 150 – 200 players expected in our junior section we are making plans to ensure this happens ! The purpose of this email is explain the reason for a Ladies Development Team and identify likeminded adults to be involved. If you are not sure already please read on and let us explain…………………….

WHY?

The transition to adult hockey and teenage years has historically been where we lose players to other clubs or hockey altogether. There are several ways to reduce this;

1. Competitive hockey at their own age groups – this year we have standard and development teams at U12, U14 & U16 age groups both playing in leagues and with their own coach. This allows cultivation of friendship and support with peers to stay at our club.
2. All players should be supported to enter the England Hockey Single System – development centres where they will receive additional training and may one day play for their county, region or country!
3. Once ready to be stretched to the next level, players should have the opportunity to play in a club Development Team with experienced adults in an adult league

So if you are still reading you are obviously interested in Youngsters playing hockey ! – so read on!

HOW?

The men’s side already have a successful model and team which we would like to replicate. For those that don’t know the Terriers team (from Bracknell) is specifically designed to develop juniors and has been very successful. We would like our girls and ladies to have a team, and are currently looking for the following key elements;

· Ex First/ second Team players
· Like minded adults to develop the youngsters.
· A plan - to build balanced judgement, mental resilience, athleticism and technical ability for youngsters prior to progressing to higher teams. We have the terriers PACES model which provides a clear structure for team development and clear information for all players. But you adults need to believe in the approach for it to work!

Still reading? Interested in being one of the adults looking after our precious younger players to help our club become fantastic ?

Then speak to ladies@southberkshirehockeyclub.org.uk

Plus of course we need a great name !

Jenny