Performance Programme Update
Performance Manager Callum McLeod-“The Performance Programme aims to give intensive coaching to Scotland’s most talented youth players with the hope of bringing more success to our youth teams but also to prepare players for achievement at senior level."
McLeod recently put together the following outline of the Youth Performance Programme, giving you the inside scoop on Scotland's stepping stones towards the future and what direction the Performance Programme is taking:
Scottish Hockey Union Performance Programme
The Performance Programme is now running in four districts: West, East, Midlands and North with Central and Highland to follow shortly. The programme is designed to give young talented players, aged 14 – 18 years old with some flexibility, the opportunity to train alongside other talented players in their district on a regular basis. Players will also gain exposure to sports science, programme management and lifestyle balance, and conditioning for hockey. The focus is firmly on developing basic skills of the individual as often the players’ club, school, district or national coach must concentrate on developing the team as a whole.
Programme Integration
As the programme focus is clearly on individual development, the work that the Performance Programme coach does must fit well with each player’s complete programme throughout the year. One major job of the Performance Programme coach is to manage each player’s programme in consultation with the player, his or her parents and the school and/or club coach. This will ensure that each player’s programme is balanced and adheres to all the principles of long term player development. An example of a Performance Programme for an international youth player will look like this:
September, October and November
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District training, school and/or club training and matches.
November and December
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Selection for national squad, selection for Performance Programme, and programme planning.
December, January and February
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Strength and conditioning and sports science and medicine education. Club and/or school indoor.
March and April
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Club and school training and matches, Performance Programme technical sessions.
May
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As above but individualised to take account of exams
June and July
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Focus on national youth players for specific technical work
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International test matches and tournaments
August
Working Together
The Performance Programme coach will work with the district coaches to support their sessions and provide guidance on the national team curriculum. This will also give the Performance Programme coach time to work with players so that they can make more informed decisions about selection for their Performance Programmes after the district competitions. The Performance Programme coach will also assist the national coaches on selection of the national teams at the district competitions.
Performance Programme Coaches
West: Mark Ralph
East: Calum Wood
Midlands: Allan Law
North: Kevin McNab
If you wish to make any comments or have any questions about the Performance Programme please contact:
Callum McLeod
Performance Manager
Tel: 0131 453 9070
callum.mcleod@scottish-hockey.org.uk