Last year we launched the new look In Season Development Programmes which replaced the traditional Representative Programmes of years gone by. These changes have come as we reflect and identify the key development outcomes we need for our young aspiring athletes and how we can best help them achieve these outcomes. Understanding that young people develop at different rates with some being early developers and others late developers, we have designed our programmes to be accommodating to all individuals, no matter where you are on your individual hockey journey. We are committed to offering development opportunities to all who seek them at an age and stage that is appropriate to their individual development. It is important to note that we are focusing on the long term development of individuals, rather than the short term team focus that previous models supported.

We have created two programmes that will place high focus on developing individuals and preparing them for the next phase in their hockey journey. At a high level, the programme structures are as follows:


PROGRAMMES
Our aim is to identify and place athletes into the appropriate development programme for their age and stage of development. We have two programmes that sit side by side offering targeted development opportunities to individuals. We have our Representative Programme and our CONNECT Programme.
Further details on these programmes can be found on the WHA website.

TRAINING & FESTIVALS
There will be 3 development days (evenings) on Sunday 25th, Wednesday 28th July and Sunday 1st August at NHS. Then individuals will be placed into their respective programmes for 8 weeks. The training sessions and festivals for the respective programmes will be as follows:
• U15 Representative Programme Trainings - Wednesday NHS 6-7.30pm
• U15 Representative Programme Festivals - Sunday 19th September (day event) & 3rd - 6th October
• U15 CONNECT Programme Trainings - Sunday NHS 3, 10.30am-12pm
• U15 CONNECT Programme Festival - Sunday 26th September (day event)

COST
There will be an initial cost of $40 for the development days.
Each programme will have associated costs of $160.
There will be festival costs for the Representative Programme players. This will be advised prior to the development days.

REGISTRATION
Registrations will close on Thursday 8th July.
Registrations are open to any eligible players that meet the following criteria:
• U15 as at 1st January 2020 (born in 2006 or later)
• Affiliated Wellington Hockey member (play hockey for a local school/club)
• Are in either Year 9, 10 or 11 at school