— England Hockey Talent System

Talent Centre

East Grinstead Hockey Club is certified by England Hockey as a Talent Centre. It means the sport's governing body has assessed our junior programme and confirmed it meets or exceeds its standards for introductory, development and Talent Foundations hockey — and it's the first step of a pathway that, at EGHC, runs all the way to the Premier League.

Join as a junior EG Talent Academy

Two accreditations, one club. EGHC is both an England Hockey Talent Centre and a licensed Talent Academy — one of only 24 Talent Academies in England and the only one in Sussex.

Juniors hub

The concept

What is a Talent Centre?

England Hockey's Talent System puts the player at the centre. Instead of a single narrow pathway that filters players out, it offers many entry, exit and re-entry points, so young people can develop at their own pace and still reach the top.

The first stage is Talent Foundations. A Talent Centre is a club that England Hockey has accredited for providing high-quality provision at this early talent development level, built into its everyday junior programme. It is the environment that is accredited, not individual players: the coaching, the competition, the culture and the welfare structures around every child.

England Hockey's goal is a national network of around 100 to 120 accredited clubs, so every child has reasonable access to one if it's right for them. Talent Centres sit alongside Junior County hockey at Talent Foundations level. Neither is a prerequisite for the next stage — but a Talent Centre gives players regular, high-quality development within their own club, week in, week out.

Good to know

Talent Centre or Talent Certification?

England Hockey now also describes this accreditation as Talent Certification. The standard is the same: it recognises clubs with a high-quality talent development environment. England Hockey also asks licensed Talent Academies, like ours, to hold it.

England Hockey Talent System

The big picture

How the Talent System fits together

EGHC gives players access to every stage below from one club — with no dead ends and no need to leave the friends they play with.

Stage 1 · From U6

Club & school hockey

Where everyone starts: fun, friendship and fundamentals in weekly age-group training and matches.

Stage 2 · Talent Foundations

Talent Centre

Accredited, high-quality development inside the club. At EGHC this includes MiniStars (U10–U12) and the Talent Development Academy (U14).

Stage 3 · Ages 15–18

Talent Academy

England Hockey's principal development environment for 15 to 18 year olds, with an Individual Development Plan for every player.

Stage 4 · International

England & GB

England Age Group and GB Elite Development programmes. The Talent Academy is the main route in.

Why it matters

What sets EGHC apart

Any accredited club offers quality coaching. Here's what an EGHC Talent Centre adds on top.

Accreditation

Talent Centre and Talent Academy

Very few clubs hold both. Players can progress from their first session at Under 6 to England Hockey's Talent Academy without changing club.

Pathway

No dead ends

MiniStars, the Talent Development Academy, the EG Talent Academy and our adult teams are all connected. Players can step up, step off and come back.

Role models

Premier League on the doorstep

Our Men's and Women's 1st XIs play in the Premier Division, outdoors and indoors. Juniors learn from Premier League players and internationals, and U18s can train with our 1st and 2nd XIs.

Technology

Video at every level

Outdoor matches from U14 to adult are recorded and live-streamed. Age-group teams get their own footage and pre-match analysis in our video room.

Culture

A healthy talent culture

We follow England Hockey's Right Athlete, Right Environment (RARE) principles, backed by our Healthy Talent Culture statement, safeguarding policy and welfare process.

Facilities

Built for development

A water-based Astroturf, an on-site indoor hall rigged for video, covered spectator seating and a clubhouse at East Grinstead Sports Club.

Proof

Recent junior honours

EG Talent Academy Boys

TA Cup national champions

Won all three matches at Nottingham in July 2025 to finish first of 24 Talent Academies.

U18 Girls

Indoor national champions

Gold at the England Hockey Indoor Nationals, plus South East Regionals and London Grand Slam gold.

U16 Girls

Indoor Hockey UK champions

Gold at the Indoor Hockey UK Championships and the London Grand Slam.

U10 – U14

County & area gold

Sussex In2Hockey gold for U10 Boys and U12 Girls, and South East Tier 2 gold for U14 Boys.

Start in the right environment

Whether your child is picking up a stick for the first time or already dreaming of an England shirt, there's a place for them at EGHC.

Join as a junior Training schedule