This policy demonstrates Doncaster Hockey Club’s commitment to the development of
young players and that the Club will always act in the best interests of the individual. They are the future of our club and of hockey in general.

This policy aims to ensure that our young members are given every opportunity to reach
their full potential whatever level that may be (international, regional, county, social or
otherwise).

To achieve this aim:

The Club will take a long term view of the development of all its young players in line
with the principles of and adopted within England Hockey’s Single System for
Hockey.

The Club will enforce that a player must have reached the age of 13 to be eligible to
play in adult only competition.

The Club will enforce the England Hockey League (EHL) regulation stating that a
player must have reached the age of 15 to be eligible to be registered to play in the
EHL.

Young players will not be called upon to play in adult only competition until it is in the best interest of the young player. If an adult team is short and the only option is a young player who is not ready either physically, mentally or socially, then the adult team will play short.

The Club will abide by England Hockey’s recommendations regarding player eligibility
and competition rules.

The Club will abide by the England Hockey’s centralised calendar and the priority this
provides to ensure that young players at each stage of their development are given
the opportunity to play and train at the right level for them without being
overplayed.

For young players eligible to be involved in adult teams, careful consideration will be
given to ensure that the distance travelled is proportional to the likely pitch time for
the young player. As a guide, it is suggested that players who will play less than half
a game should not travel for longer than 60 minutes.

All selection will be made in line with the principles outlined in the Club’s Equity
Policy and Safeguarding and Protecting Young People Policy adopted by the Club.

As much as practically possible, peer group teams will ensure that each member of
the squad is given as equal as possible an amount of pitch time per match or per
event to ensure every individual has the opportunity to develop.

Winning is important but is a short term gain