I hope you are all well and are having an enjoyable summer. We are ready to start South Yorkshire Academy Centre activity again for the 2025 / 2026 season.

England Hockey - Talent Strategy

South Yorkshire Academy Centre (Sub Area County Hockey) take part in very competitive leagues across the Yorkshire and North East Area for all age groups from U12 to U18.

Further information on the overall England Hockey Talent Strategy can be found by clicking on the following link.

England Hockey ~ Talent Strategy

What does this mean for my child?

As was the case last season, age groups will be aligned with “school year”, please see details below:

Age Groups for season 2025-26:
U12 (Yr6) 01 Sep 2014 - 31 Aug 2015
U12 (Yr7) 01 Sep 2013 - 31 Aug 2014
U13 (Yr8) 01 Sep 2012 - 31 Aug 2013
U14 (Yr9) 01 Sep 2011- 31 Aug 2012
U15 (Yr10) 01 Sep 2010 - 31 Aug 2011
U16 (Yr11) 01 Sep 2009 - 31 Aug 2010
U17 (Yr12) 01 Sep 2008 - 31 Aug 2009
U18 (Yr13) 01 Sept 2007 – 31 Aug 2008

AC Competition Structure for season 2025-26:

u18 & u15 & u14 (11 a-side)
One League running on a cumulative basis through the 4 tournaments. Longer games than previous competitions and not all teams will play each other at one competition, but it will be equal over the season. Fixtures and venues/times are all confirmed at the start of the season for ease of planning (see attached schedule).

u13 & u12 (7 a-side)
Two Leagues of teams. All play all in the group on a Competition Day. “Promotion” and “Relegation” after each competition (either 1 or 2 up / down from each League). Venues/times all confirmed at the start of the season for ease of planning (see attached schedule).

2025-2026 South Yorkshire Hockey Academy centre

In order to complete the registration process, please find below a list of things for your attention:

1. Player Enrolment Form – Please complete for all players.
2. Assessment Dates – All players must complete BOTH dates for their age/gender group to be considered for selection.
3. YNE County Competition Schedule – These are dates you are committing to when you register your child and if they are successful in the selection process.
4. Attached is the Training Schedule – These are dates you are committing to when you register your child and if they are successful in the selection process.
5. In addition to the schedule, we also run optional Hockey Camps during the School Holidays, subject to coach availability. These are open to all year groups and are at an additional cost. Further details about our Camps will be communicated nearer the time.

Please ensure your child is able to commit to the Training and Tournament dates before enrolling. SYHAC expects full commitment to the end of the season.

1. Player Enrolment Form:

Please can you complete the following online form to register your child for South Yorkshire Academy by:

Sunday 7th September for U13/14/15/18 age groups
Sunday 5th October for U12 age group.

(NB:The form will be closed for a week from 7th September to allow us to prepare for the older groups assessments).

Enrolment Form >

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc67xRs6TwDw-EO3hqbdhIS7ByntQmdG09zhHfBuHJgy9HEPA/viewform

2. Assessment Format and Dates:

ALL assessments will take place at:

The Hockey Pitch, Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, Bawtry Road, Rotherham S9 1UA (the old Aurora site).

All players will need to wear shin pads, mouthguard and PLAIN KIT ONLY (NO SCHOOL / CLUB / SOUTH YORKS KIT). Please also send your child with a drink and arrive in good time.
Goal Keepers should all attend their relevant age group assessments with GK kit.

Friday 12th September

U13 Girls Assessment 1 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U14 Girls Assessment 1 7.30pm – 9.00pm
U15 Girls Assessment 1 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U18 Girls Assessment 1 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Friday 19th September

U13 Boys Assessment 1 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U14 Boys Assessment 1 7.30pm – 9.00pm
U15 Boys Assessment 1 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U18 Boys Assessment 1 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Friday 26th September

U13 Girls Assessment 2 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U14 Girls Assessment 2 7.30pm – 9.00pm
U15 Girls Assessment 2 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U18 Girls Assessment 2 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Friday 3rd October

U13 Boys Assessment 2 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U14 Boys Assessment 2 7.30pm – 9.00pm
U15 Boys Assessment 2 6.00pm – 7.30pm
U18 Boys Assessment 2 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Sunday 12th October

U12 Girls Assessment 1 2.30pm – 4.00pm
U12 Boys Assessment 1 4.00pm – 5.30pm

Sunday 16th November

U12 Girls Assessment 2 2.30pm – 4.00pm
U12 Boys Assessment 2 4.00pm – 5.30pm

Cost

Each Assessment will cost £10 per child to cover the costs of the venue hire and coaches. This will be payable in cash only please on the day of Assessment.
Season Membership fees for selected players will be:

Full Squad Player £150
Development Player £90

These should be paid in full within 30 days of selection. Please be aware that late or non-payment may result in players not being able to take part in training/tournaments.
SYHDG has a bursary scheme, if you feel our membership fees may be a barrier to your son/daughter being included in the County Programme, then please feel free to contact us.