About the JTC

Our hugely successful Junior Talent Centre goes from strength to strength, developing the potential and talent of our young players (boys and girls) from the earliest age groups U8 through to U18s with a high quality coaching programme and excellent facilities. With 19 Junior teams and approximately 450 junior players, the Junior Talent Centre is thriving and we see a very strong pull through of players into the Senior Teams as well as Regional and National representation.

If you are a parent and want more information about the Junior Talent Centre, please click on the Information for Parents & Safeguarding page.

The Club’s Selection Policy for Junior Talent Centre Teams is available below:

Click on the link below to be taken to the membership options and how to join

The Club’s philosophy #fastfearlessfun is reflected in our approach to Junior Development and our mission statement is to:

Create an oversupply of suitably equipped players who can compete at all levels in the junior and senior club. All junior players are given the opportunity to grow in a playing and coaching environment that supports the individual’s playing aspirations, no matter what that might be. 

For our youngest players involved in the Sunday Talent Centre (up to U12s), the focus is on participation, having fun and developing technique. We do this mainly through enjoyable game-based sessions supplemented with small group breakouts to help develop technique.

As players move into the mid week age groups (U14 onwards) then the focus, while still emphasising enjoyment and ongoing technical development, becomes increasingly about decision making and tactics to develop winning teams and improve performance. This transition takes place with a gradual change of emphasis between U12 and U14 age groups.

2 key guiding documents for junior development and coaching can be found here:

The Buccaneers Junior Development Philosophy can be summarised as follows:

Sunday Talent Centre (U8 – U12):  

Fun

Participation

Game-based

Technical shaping

Midweek Talent Centre (U14 – U18):

Fun

Performance

Game-based

Decision making

Self awareness, reflection and self-development

For the performance players, we are ultimately looking to support England Hockey by developing players who are:

• Highly skilled.
• Effective decision makers.
• Effective under pressure.
• Self organising and adaptable.
• Fast and execute skill under the constant high intensity of a match.
• Creative.
• Right attitude, right time.

At TBBHC, we are keen for junior players (age 13 yrs and above) to get involved with Senior hockey when they want to. We know that young players often have a number of other School sporting commitments during the season, so we understand that they cannot always play a full season – this is not a problem. Anyone who is an U18 member of the Junior Talent Centre can play senior hockey or simply just play Senior hockey in line with the Junior Talent Development Pathway. Please contact the Director of Junior Talent Centre if you wish your child to be considered for senior squads.

Team Selection. For U18 players, the usual rules of Selection based on merit apply as for other members of the Club although particular attention is paid by the Selection Committees to the progress of juniors players, ensuring at all times they are given opportunities, time and encouragement to develop. The Club Selection Policy can be found below:

For Ladies teams, promotion through the teams is linear ie 6th XI through 1st XI although players may be selected straight into higher teams should they demonstrate the right talent and potential in training.

For Mens teams, the route for U18 players is usually from the Mens Gs (and sometimes Fs) to the Es and then upwards to Ds and beyond.

England Hockey's aspiration is to create:

A phenomenal generation of players which the hockey community in England and Great Britain are proud of

Exceptional talent development environments which breed competition for places at every level and lead to a vibrant elite game in England.

English clubs excelling in European club hockey and role models inspiring through consistent international success.

A player identification and development system which attracts and excites young people and inspires them to be the best they can be and which values both current performance and future potential

Safe, enjoyable and inclusive talent development environments with a duty of care for everyone's wellbeing

Please visit the England Hockey Website for full information