East Grinstead Hockey Club · U10 & U12

MiniStars

Talent Pathway #PlayWithHeart

MiniStars is the first step on EGHC's pathway for our most ambitious young players. Designed by our Premier League coaching team and delivered inside an England Hockey certified Talent Centre, it gives selected U10 and U12 players extra, high-quality coaching alongside their regular age-group training — building the technical foundations, confidence and game understanding that everything else is built on.

MiniStars store Next step: TDA Our Talent Centre

2026/27 squads are under way. Applications for this season closed on 7 September. Missed out, or want to be considered next time? Let us know and we'll keep you informed about the next intake.

The pathway

One club, one journey to the top

For players who fall in love with hockey and want to see how far they can go, EGHC offers a connected journey from Sunday-morning age-group hockey all the way to England Hockey's Talent Academy — without ever leaving the club or the friends they play with. MiniStars is where that journey starts.

Foundation · U6 upwards

Age-group hockey

Weekly training and matches for every member. Fun, friendship and fundamentals — and the base every pathway player keeps.

Step 1 · U10 & U12

MiniStars

Selected players add Friday-evening coaching focused on individual skill, confidence and decision-making, indoors and out.

You are here

Step 2 · U14

Talent Development Academy

Advanced technical work, game understanding and the behaviours needed for representative and talent pathway hockey.

About the TDA

Step 3 · U16 & U18

EG Talent Academy

England Hockey's licensed Talent Academy, run by EGHC — the main route into England age-group hockey.

About the Talent Academy

Why EG

Coaching certified by England Hockey

EGHC is an England Hockey certified Talent Centre. The sport's governing body has assessed our junior coaching, competition, culture and welfare and confirmed that they meet or exceed its standards for Talent Foundations — the stage of development MiniStars is built for. It is the environment that is certified, so every MiniStars session is held to that standard.

That is why MiniStars matters. At U10 and U12, children learn skills fastest, and the habits they form now — how they carry the ball, receive under pressure, and make decisions — shape everything that follows. Getting it right early, with properly qualified coaches, gives ambitious players a head start without pushing them too hard, too soon.

The programme is designed by the coaches behind our Men's and Women's Premier League sides and follows England Hockey's Right Athlete, Right Environment (RARE) principles: the right challenge, at the right time, in a safe and healthy talent culture.

What certification means

Reassurance for parents

✓ Qualified, DBS-checked coaches
✓ Programmes assessed against England Hockey standards
✓ A Healthy Talent Culture and organised welfare process
✓ A clear route onwards: EGHC also runs a licensed England Hockey Talent Academy — one of only 24 in England

About our Talent Centre

What players learn

Building brilliant foundations

Sessions put individual skill at the centre, so every player leaves with more touches, more confidence and a better understanding of the game.

Skill

Ball carrying

Close control at speed, head up, using both sides of the stick.

Skill

Receiving & passing

Clean first touch and accurate passing, the building blocks of every team.

Skill

Elimination skills

Beating a defender with changes of direction, pace and deception.

Skill

1v1 play

Confidence to take on, and stop, an opponent — in attack and defence.

Game sense

Decision-making

Recognising situations early and choosing the right option under pressure.

Mindset

Confidence

Bravery to try new skills, make mistakes and learn from them.

2026/27 programme

How MiniStars works

Season

Six blocks, Sep – Jul

The programme runs from September 2026 to July 2027 in six training blocks, all on Friday evenings.

Indoor · 4 blocks

Fridays 6pm – 7pm

In our on-site indoor hall at EGHC, with fixed video analysis.

Outdoor · 2 blocks

Fridays 7.30pm – 8.30pm

On the EGHC water-based Astroturf at East Grinstead Sports Club.

Kit

Indoor equipment

An indoor stick, a left-hand indoor glove and non-marking indoor court shoes. We'll advise after selection.

Why so much indoor? Indoor hockey is fast and highly technical, with far more touches of the ball. The smaller space builds close control, quick decisions, accurate passing and receiving, 1v1 ability and confidence under pressure — and East Grinstead is England's most successful indoor club.

Junior Indoor

Selection

What we look for

MiniStars is not simply about who is the strongest player today. We look for young players with the potential and behaviours to benefit from an extra development environment.

Potential

Qualities that suggest they can keep progressing.

Technical ability

A strong foundation of core hockey skills.

Coachability

Listening, learning and applying feedback.

Attitude

Positivity and a willingness to work hard.

Bravery

Confidence to try new skills and take risks.

Game understanding

Growing ability to read situations and decide well.

Commitment

Enthusiasm for hockey and a desire to develop.

Every pace is fine

Children develop at different rates. Not selected this time? The door stays open.

2025/26 highlights

Young players, real progress

U12 Girls

London Grand Slam gold

Indoor Hockey UK London Grand Slam champions, plus Indoor Hockey UK Championship silver.

U10 Boys

Derby Grand Slam silver

Silver at the Indoor Hockey UK Derby Grand Slam.

U12 Girls & Boys

South East medals

In2Hockey South East Regional silver (girls) and bronze (boys).

The pathway works

14 TA nominations

Players nominated for the Talent Academy from our TDA in 2025/26 — the next steps on from MiniStars.

Joining

How to join MiniStars

Applications

Apply each season

Everyone applies for each new season, including players who took part before — previous involvement doesn't guarantee a place, and newcomers are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are reviewed by the EGHC coaching team alongside what they already know of each player, with an assessment session where needed.

Places are limited to protect quality, intensity and individual attention. We ask players and parents to talk it through first — the programme runs most of the season and needs a real commitment to attend.

Members & non-members

Open to all ambitious players

Applications are welcome from EGHC members and from players at other clubs. Where MiniStars is oversubscribed, current EGHC members are given priority, and members receive member pricing on bolt-on programmes.

MiniStars is priced by block and sits on top of regular junior membership, which covers weekly age-group training and matches.

The first step on a big journey

Keen to be part of MiniStars? Get in touch about the next intake, or see where the pathway leads next.