- First time the Futures Cup has been held in Hertfordshire
- Hannah Macleod Great Britain player, who is off to the Rio Olympics plays for St Albans Hockey Club
- Great Britain’s Team Manager from London 2012 and St Albans Head coach Andy Halliday
- The tournament will feature the very best junior players from across the UK
- Great Britain Player Giselle Ansley and Lily Owsley both competed in this tournament
St Albans Hockey Club based at Oaklands College will play host the Futures Cup on the 26th to 29th of October 2016 and in August 2017.
The Futures Cup is the pinnacle event of the England Hockey Player Pathway for U16 and U18 girls and boys. Teams from across the country including one from Scotland and Wales will compete to be crowned the Future Cup winners.
Our best young players are selected from Junior Regional Performance Centres to play in 4 representative teams at Futures Cup. Providing a best vs best competition as it supports player and coach development within a high-intensity and pressurised tournament environment.
The format mirrors an international event to give our developing young players a sense of what they might experience if they are selected to play for England. England national junior squads are selected at Futures Cup.
Sally Mapley the Player Pathway/Single System Manager commented: “After an extensive process involving many potential venues we are delighted to appoint St Albans Hockey Club, in association with Oaklands College and University of Hertfordshire, as the host venue for England Hockey Futures Cup.
Futures Cup 2016 will be the launch of The Player Pathway and I am sure will provide a fantastic platform to start the exciting development in the provision for our talented young hockey players. The England Hockey Performance Team are looking forward to developing a fantastic event alongside all involved.”
Andy Bowskill, St Albans Hockey Club Director of Hockey said: “St Albans Hockey Club, in conjunction with Oaklands College, is delighted to have been chosen to host the next series of Futures Cup tournaments. It is the most prestigious junior event in the national calendar and provides a great opportunity for our elite young talent to showpiece their skills in preparation for National Squad representation. We look forward to providing a very warm welcome to players, their families and friends, officials and all visitors to the world class facilities at Oaklands.”
Andy Halliday, St Albans Hockey Club Men’s Head Coach and Great Britain Men’s Team Manager: “As somebody who has a dual role, both with our International squads and at club level, I understand the important role now played by The Futures Cup in identifying and nurturing our future International players.
It is fantastic to see the tournament will be held at St Albans Hockey Club where we have developed the facilities with a focus on performance. I have no doubt that the strong infrastructure and willing club volunteers will ensure this event is a roaring success.”
St Albans Hockey Club President, Mike Fordham comments: “We are really delighted. It is a privilege to be entrusted with delivering so important an event. St Albans HC is blessed with great facilities in open countryside outside a historic city. Through our strong partnership with Oaklands College our club strives for inclusivity, excellence and sustainable innovation.
Hosting the Futures Cup brings both opportunity and responsibility and we are rolling up our sleeves.”
Oaklands College Nicole Sadd, Commercial Director at Oaklands College: “Oaklands College is delighted to be selected to host the Futures Cup Hockey Event. Building on our successful partnership from the Euro Hockey Masters Tournament last summer, we look forward to working with England Hockey & St Albans Hockey Club to deliver an exciting and memorable experience for all involved.”
Ed Barney the Head of Great Britain Talent Development: “Whilst Futures Cup will remain an integral part of the England Hockey Player Pathway, I’m delighted that the opportunity to participate is being extended to teams from Scotland and Wales. Providing a challenging, best versus best competition environment that supports player development and allows players to develop their skills under pressure is fantastic.
From a Great Britain perspective, it’s great that we will be seeing the best talent from across the country in one place – this will only aid the work that we are doing in developing more world-leading players. It promises to be a brilliant event.”
Report courtesy of England Hockey
