England Hockey Player Pathway Selections

Over the last few weeks many of our junior players have been trialling at various stages of the England Hockey Player Pathway.

We had many players attending the Hampshire Development Centres in the summer, having been nominated by the Club. The next stage in the pathway is the Hampshire Academy Centre, and after a number of assessments the following players have been successful in being selected for their respective Hampshire AC squads:

U17 Girls: Amelia Hutchin, Amelie Nolan

U16 Girls: Esther Chainey, Viv Scriminger

U16 Boys: Seb Eaton, Mario Gianni

U15 Girls: Eva Akerman

U14 Girls: Bea Eaton, Amelia Wakeley

U14 Boys: Eddie Bulstrode, Alberto Gianni, Finn Lacey, Will Leyland, Charlie Long, Oliver Street

U13 Boys: Rory Jack, Eddie Kent, Bertie Lander, Tom Nolan

After the AC cycle, the coaches may nominate players for one of the England Hockey Performance Centre, and after a number of assessments the following players have been successful in being selected for the Southampton PC squads:

U17 Girls: Amelie Nolan

U17 Boys: Harry Cooke, Henry Crompton, Mario Gianni, Caspar Hall, Josh Long, Max Wedderburn

U15 Boys: Seb Eaton, Alberto Gianni, Will Leyland, Charlie Long

Congratulations to all of these players for their selection.

Under 16 Boys

vs Haslemere 5-1

Scorers: Joe Jenkinson (2), Alex Potts (2), Tyler Sacco

Having beaten a strong Guildford 2nd team last round, the U16 boys turned out to face Haslemere - a team they had already played and beaten this season. Missing a couple of players for various reasons, and knowing they were the stronger side, the team started slowly and trying to force things, which led to Haslemere taking the lead. Winchester - upset by going behind - started to get a stronger hold of the game, with Harry Wilson and Joe Jenkinson controlling the middle of the pitch. This led to two quick goals from Joe and Alex Potts to put Winch 2-1 at half-time.

A clear message of needing to press better at half time made Winchester’s control of the game even stronger. Three further goals were added by Joe, Alex & Tyler Sacco. This result puts Winchester U16 boys into the last 16 of the Tier 2 EH Cup.

Under 14 Girls

EH Cup vs Chichester 0-4

It just seemed to be one of those days. Chichester were a strong team but Winchester also got off to a slow start. All of the things we have been working on in training - passing the ball, using the space and communicating - disappeared as we gave the ball back to the opposition too easily. At half time Chichester led 2-0.

The second half was more evenly matched, however we could not find the quick goal to give us some momentum. Lucy Baker playing in goal for the first time this season made some amazing saves but Chichester hit us twice on the counterattack to make the final score 4-0.

We play them this weekend in the league when we can hopefully reverse the scoreline.

Players of the match were Bea Eaton and Amelie Carter

Written by Francesca Bradley.

Under 14 Boys

vs Salisbury 8-0

Scorers: Bertie Lander, Tom Nolan (2), Oscar Kipps (2), Matthew Richman, Ollie Street, Charlie Long

As the U14 boys had a bye in the latest round of the EH Championship, a friendly fixture against Salisbury was arranged. It quickly became apparent that Winchester were by far the stronger side, with the match played predominantly in the Salisbury half. With a full squad available for the first time this season, the biggest coaching challenge was to get enough game time for all the players. With constant rolling substitutions and changes in position, it was difficult to develop much rhythm to the team play. Added to that, with the team so dominant, players felt the need to take on too much themselves. That, and the fact that any team with 11 players deep in front of their own goal is always hard to break down, meant that goals were hard to come by in the opening quarter. As the game developed, the boys started to pass the ball better which stretched the Salisbury defence and the goals flowed.

This group of boys has much potential, but the season feels like a work in progress at the moment, with attendance at training and availability for matches sporadic, and a fixtures schedule disrupted by inconsistent England Hockey scheduling and opposition unable to field teams. The season could be very successful, but this will need concerted commitment from players and coaches alike.

Under 10s

vs Yateley HC and Andover HC

Sunday 21st November saw us leaving the warm(ish) and sunny climate of Winchester to the frozen outback of Yateley (we were forewarned that it was exposed and often windy, it was only on arrival that we realised that they weren't lying).

We took two teams with us to the polar regions, with two coaches for a 'Green' and a 'Blue' team and each played four games against teams from Andover and Yateley in a round robin format.

For my part, I was coaching the 'Green' team, and the first match filled me with optimism. The team were playing some good sensible hockey, passing between players and even some passing into space for players to run onto. The message was simple, keep doing the same. It was almost like all the training was starting to show!

The following games we played as well, with greater and lesser success. In part because we didn't give ourselves the space in key moments, in part because on a cold day the need to rotate meant some positional confusion (for me as well as the team).

What I was proud of, regardless of the result, was that they all tried to play in the right way. Passing, moving, and not just a hopeful hit to five forwards (albeit that was effective for one team we played).

The ‘Blue’ team started with a lesson in some dubious time keep, drawing their first match after the final whistle. However, they dug deep and fought back in the arctic chill. There was some quality defending, great mid-field play and top goal scoring to win their remaining games. Most players were literally ‘blue’ by the end with another valuable lesson learned in the value of layering up for winter matches!

Finally there has to be a big mention and thanks to the parents who showed up and stood in the biting wind, with no shelter or respite, to watch the teams play. Without parental support these events wouldn't happen, and they are such a great thing to be able to do.

Richard Holm

Under 8s

vs Yateley Hc and Andover HC

We took three teams to play away against Yateley and Andover. We were warned the pitch is very exposed and they weren’t wrong! After the teams had warmed up they each played four matches in total against the opposition. All the teams played really well and demonstrated many of the hockey skills we have been working on. These involved some great roll-outs to evade tacklers and it was amazing to see the ball transitioned across the pitch!

The Orange Team were undefeated in their four matches, with the goal machine Millie Clark up front.

The Purple Team won two and had two draws with Felix Eaton scoring all of the goals.

The Yellow Team had a tougher time but kept on battling with Ollie Nurse anchoring the defence.

The U8s’ sense of game has really improved and they are looking forward to their next tournament against Haslemere & Basingstoke.

Winchester Hockey Club Oracle Edition 26