The High Performance Development Stream comprises the BC Summer Games Performance Program for U14 women and the Regional High Performance Programs for U16 and U18 women. The aim of these programs is to ensure that high performance athletes are able to train in their own region, with certified coaches, throughout the year. The development training creates the foundation for the provincial excellence program.
This program is for athletes interested in continuous, committed High Performance Training during the winter and spring months. The Regional Program is the first step in provincial team athlete identification process, and is mandatory for athletes interested in representing BC.
Women’s U14 BC Summer Games Performance Program
Program Focus:
- Phase 1 - Technical Skills Development
- Phase 2 - Team Preparation and Competition at BC Summer Games
- Injury Prevenetion and Fitness Program throughout both phases
Program Highlights:
- On-field training with certified FHBC coaches
- Fitness and Injury Prevention Program
- Possible selection to Zone team for BC Summer Games, July 22-25, 2010
Program Structure:
There are six zones that compete in the BC Summer Games:
- Zone 1 - Kootenays
- Zone 2 - Okanagan
- Zone 3 - Fraser Valley
- Zone 4 - Fraser River-Delta
- Zone 5 - Vancouver/North Shore
- Zone 6 - Vancouver Island
Each of these zones will hold trials at the beginning of March to select their extended training squads for Phase 1 of the program. Selected athletes will train weekly during March/April/May, to develop their Technical Skills. At the end of Phase 1, coaches in each zone will select one team of athletes (plus reserves) to continue to train in Phase 2 (June/July) and attend the BC Summer Games. In order to be eligible to play in the BC Summer Games, athletes must participate in both Phase 1 and 2 of the program.
Eligibility:
- Female Athletes born in 1996, 1997, & 1998. (Please note, athletes born in 1998 are not eligible to participate in the BCSG, but may participate in Phase 1 of the program.)
- Must live (or attend school) in the zone. For more detail on the zone boundaries please visit the BC Games website.
In rare circumstances, athletes may apply to the High Performance Director to be considered for selection in an older age category. However the athlete must have been previously identified within the top tier in the province at the higher age group. For example, a grade 8 athlete who wishes to play in the Under 16 age group must be ranked high on their U14 provincial team from the previous summer. The decision will go to the High performance Committee for consideration and the athlete and parent will be contacted.
Regional Athlete Evaluation Process
Team BC Athlete Age and Position Specific Criteria
U14 BCSG Performance Program Specific Commitments:
- 16 hrs skills training during Phase 1
- 20 hrs skills training during Phase 2 (*if selected)
- Fitness and conditioning program
- Attendance at the U14 BC Summer Games
- Pay a Training Levy during Phase 1 to cover facility costs, fitness programs, coach’s honorarium
- Pay a BCSG Levy during Phase 2 to cover facility costs, coach's honorarium, costs associated with the BC Summer Games (*if selected)
Women's U16 Regional Program
Program Focus:
- Technical Skills Development
- Fun game play during the FHBC U16 Jamboree
Program Highlights:
- On-field training with certified FHBC coaches
- Fitness and Injury Prevention Program
- Participation in FHBC U16 Jamboree, May 7-9, 2010
- Possible selection to FHBC U16 Provincial Teams
Program Structure:
There are 4 regions in BC that participate in the Regional Program:
- Interior (Okanagan & Kootenays)
- Island (Victoria and MidIsland)
- Northwest (Vancouver and Northshore)
- Southeast (Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey)
Regional Trials
Each of the 4 Regions will hold trials in late November to select a squad of 30-60 high performance athletes. Trial notices are sent out by FHBC staff and local Zone representatives one month 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 December-May, focusing on Technical Skills development with certified FHBC coaches. Athletes will then participate in the FHBC U16 Jamboree, a festival-style tournament where athletes will have the opportunity to play with other U16 players from around the province. All U16 Regional 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 U16 Jamboree. This new 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 U16 High Performance Development Program.
Prior to the Jamboree, Regional Training Centre Coaches will recommend athletes from the skills training phase to move on to the U16 Team BC Selection Camp (June 2-4). FHBC selectors will then confirm these nominations at the U16 Jamboree, and selected athletes will be notified of their invitation to attend the 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.
Eligibility:
- Female athletes born in 1994 & 1995
- Live (or attend school) within their Region
In rare circumstances, athletes may apply to the High Performance Director to be considered for selection in an older age category. However the athlete must have been previously identified within the top tier in the province at the higher age group. For example, a grade 10 athlete who wishes to play in the Under 18 age group must be ranked high on their U16 provincial team from the previous summer. The decision will go to the High performance Committee for consideration and the athlete and parent will be contacted.
Regional Athlete Evaluation Process
Team BC Athlete Age and Position Specific Criteria
U16 High Performance Program Specific Commitments:
- 20 hrs skills training within the Region
- Fitness and conditioning program
- Attendance at the U16 Jamboree
- Pay a Regional Levy to cover facility costs, fitness programs, coach’s honorarium, and coach’s travel expenses, costs associated with Jamboree
Women's U18 Regional Program
Program Focus:
Program Highlights:
- On-field training with certified FHBC coaches
- Fitness and Injury Prevention Program
- Possible selection to the High Performance Tournament Team
- Possible selection to FHBC U18 Provincial Teams
Program Structure:
There are 4 regions in BC that participate in the Regional Program:
- Interior (Okanagan & Kootenays)
- Island (Victoria and MidIsland)
- Northwest (Vancouver and Northshore)
- Southeast (Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey)
Regional Trials
Each of the four regions holds trials in November to select a squad of approximately 40 athletes in the U18 age group. Trial notices are sent out by FHBC staff and local Zone representatives one month 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.
Once the Squads are selected, athletes will receive 20 hours of on-field training in their region, focusing on both Technical Skill Development and Tactical Strategies. One month prior to the U18 High Performance Tournament, each Region will select one or two teams of 16 players who will attend the HP Tournament. Reserve players who are not selected to the Tournament Teams continue to train with their Regions until the tournament. All athletes will benefit from the full 20 hours of training, preparation and sport science.
Provincial Team Selection Process:
The U18 High Performance Tournament is a 3-day tournament and selection event for athletes. No attendance exceptions will be made during the tournament weekend. This event represents the culmination of the first High Performance Development Phase. Regional Coaches provide a grade/ranking and comments for specific skills categories, tactics and fitness scores for each tournament athlete. This evaluation form is given to the selection team prior to the tournament weekend. The selection team consists of the provincial coaches for the specific age-group and the High Performance Program Director. There is dialogue and feedback between the selection team and the Regional coaches during the tournament to identify the top athletes for summer provincial squads. Provincial squads are posted on the website 1-2 days after the close of the tournament.
Regional Athlete Evaluation Process
Team BC Athlete Age and Position Specific Criteria
The High Performance Tournament attracts domestic, university and international scouts, and is a premier competitive opportunity for our Junior Women.
Athlete Eligibility:
- Female athletes born in 1992 & 1993
- Must live (or attend school) within their Region
In rare circumstances, athletes may apply to the High Performance Director to be considered for selection in an older age category. However the athlete must have been previously identified within the top tier in the province at the higher age group. For example, a grade 10 athlete who wishes to play in the Under 18 age group must be ranked high on their U16 provincial team from the previous summer. The decision will go to the High performance Committee for consideration and the athlete and parent will be contacted.
U18 High Performance Program Specific Commitments:
- 20 hrs skills training within the Region
- Fitness and conditioning program
- Attendance at the U18 High Performance Tournament
- Pay a Regional Levy to cover facility costs, fitness programs, coach’s honorarium, and coach’s travel expenses, costs associated with Tournament
Additional Trial Information - for U14, U16, and U18 Programs:
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.
Regional 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.
For more information on the Regional and Team BC Selection Criteria, click here.