Foundations Program Information:
Each of the 4 Regions will hold trials in October or November, to select a squad of 30-60 high performance athletes. Trial notices are sent out by FHBC staff and local Zone representatives prior to the trial date. The trial notice is also posted on the Field Hockey BC website. All athletes are required to register online for the trials to be considered for selection.
Selected athletes will train for 20 hours from February-April, focusing on Technical Skills development with certified FHBC coaches. Athletes will then participate in the FHBC Foundations Festival, a festival-style tournament where athletes will have the opportunity to play with other foundation players from around the province. All Foundations athletes who achieve the beep test standard, will be drafted by the FHBC High Performance Staff on to balanced teams. These balanced, and newly formed teams will be coached by certified FHBC coaches, and will play against each other in the Foundations Festival. This format will offer athletes the chance to have fun, learn from different coaches and teammates, and showcase the technical skills they have developed during the winter training phase. This event represents the culmination of the first phase of the High Performance Development Program.
Prior to the Festival, Regional Training Centre Coaches will recommend athletes from the skills training phase to move on to the Foundations Team BC selection. FHBC selectors will then confirm these nominations at the Foundations Festival, and selected athletes will be notified of their invitation to Team BC.
High Performance Foundation Program Specific Commitments:
- 20 hrs skills training within the Region
- Fitness and conditioning program
- Attendance at the Foundations Festival
- Pay a Regional Levy to cover facility costs, fitness programs, coach’s honorarium, and coach’s travel expenses, costs associated with Festival
Trial Attendance:
Trial attendance is mandatory. If for any of the following reasons, an athlete cannot attend trials, the parent and athlete must contact the High Performance Director prior to the trial in order to be considered for selection. If the selection committee does not have a reason for non-attendance the athlete will be not be selected to the squad.
- Injury* or sickness, family emergency
- Academic (school trip or exam that conflicts with trials)
- Provincial level or High Performance Sport Competition (excluding practice)
*In the case of an injury, athletes must provide a doctor’s or physiotherapist’s note at trials indicating the athlete’s medical condition and the potential return to play date. In this case, the athlete’s evaluation from the previous year’s regional and provincial programs will be considered. However, if the athlete does not attend either trial, there is no guarantee they will be selected to the squad.
Foundations Program Trial Selection Process:
Zone representatives, FHBC staff, and regional coaches carry out the selections. The format is designed by FHBC professional staff and implemented by the Regional Squad coaches and volunteers. The format includes the following components:
Warm-up
Skills Drills
Decision making in outnumbered situations
Small games (3v3, 4v4 and 5v5)
Emphasis for selection is based on basic technical skills, decision making under pressure, off-ball movement, athletic ability, offensive and defensive skills, and ball control.
The selection committee does not have access to rankings from previous years, or from club coaches. The athlete evaluations are based on trial performance.
The selection committee always consists of the following:
- Head Selector
- Regional Squad Head Coach
- 2 Experienced Zone Selectors
The on-field staff often consists of FHBC staff, volunteer parent coaches and Regional Coaches not experienced in squad selection.
Once the Squad is selected, athletes will receive 20 hours of on-field technical skills training, sport science support and the opportunity to participate in the Foundation Jamboree (for all athletes who achieve the beep test standard).
Provincial Team Selection Process:
The Foundations Festival is a festival-style tournament where athletes will have the opportunity to play with other foundation athletes from around the province. These balanced, and newly formed teams will compete against each other, offering athletes the chance to have fun, learn from new coaches and showcase the technical skills they have developed during the winter training phase. This event represents the culmination of the first High Performance Development Phase.
Prior to the Festival, Regional Training Centre Coaches will recommend athletes from the skills training phase to move on to the Foundations Team BC Selection camp. FHBC selectors will then confirm these nominations at the Festival, and selected athletes will be notified of their invitation to attend the Foundations Team BC Selection Camp.
At the Team BC Selection Camp, athletes will participate in fitness testing, drills, and scrimmages, which the FHBC selectors will use to select Team BC athletes and reserves. The FHBC selection team will consist of Provincial Team U16 coaches, experienced volunteer selectors, as well as the FHBC High Performance Staff.
For more information on the Regional and Team BC Selection Criteria, click here.
The High Performance Tournaments traditionally attract domestic, university and international scouts, and we anticipate the Foundations Festival will do the same.
Eligibility Notes and Older Age Group Policy:
In rare circumstances, athletes may apply to the High Performance Committee to be considered for selection in an older age category. However the athlete must be ranked within the top tier in the province at the higher age group. For example, a grade 9 athlete who wishes to play in the Super Series age group must be ranked high on their U16 provincial team from the previous summer. The current season’s evaluation will also be considered. The decision will go to the High Performance Committee for consideration and the athlete and parent will be contacted.
This process needs to take place prior to trials.
Regional Athlete Evaluation Process
Team BC Athlete Age and Position Specific Criteria