The U16 age group has an important place within the development of young players. Some are still new to hockey where others are entering the ‘train to develop’ stage. Players will need to keep refining basic techniques and need to be challenged with more complex techniques and decision making to further their development. Players in the ‘train to develop’ stage need to learn to train more deliberate and need to start making the translation from training to games. 

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Talent and early ability at this age are no guarantees for future success. Taking late developers and the relative age effect into account, Hockey Northland aims to provide more players at this age an opportunity for holistic development. Although the U16 Development Programme has a more inclusive nature, players will still need to show commitment and the appropriate attitude to be part of the programme. Players will need to demonstrate the physical and technical abilities that are required to keep up with the desired level of the programme.

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The Right Opportunities for the Right People at the Right Time