Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy Booklet

Oaklands wolves hockey Academy A guide for new applicants 2020-21

In association with

St Albans Hockey Club

“

We pride ourselves as the only specialist Hockey Academy within the UK offering an affordable residential provision that is linked to a National League club.

- Simon Archer Head of Hockey Academy

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CONTENTS Hockey Academy

4

Meet the Support Team

5-6

Training & Fixtures

6

Timetable

7

Success Stories

8-10

Academy Facts

11

Studying at Oaklands Joining the Academy Academy Links Residential

12 13 14 15

OPEN & TRIAL DAYS We believe it’s important you find out everything you need to know before joining us, which is why we run 1:1 or small group Open Events to fit your needs throughout the year.

Open Event/Trial Dates • Saturday 2nd May 9:30AM - 13:30PM • Further trials by appointment - Contact us for details.

HOCKEY

Academy

Student athletes can apply for our Hockey Academy whilst gaining further academic qualifications by studying a variety of courses that Oaklands College has to offer.

Oaklands College Oaklands College is a Further Education establishment with campuses in St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and a further learning provision in Borehamwood.

Hockey Academy The Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy was introduced in 2017 and provides students with a platform to develop into professional players, delivering expert training from industry professionals whilst studying for their qualifications at Oaklands College, whilst also given the opportunity to still play for their respectable clubs.

4

MEET

Our Staff/Specialist Volunteers Our Hockey Academy support team are fully trained, licensed coaches with vast playing and coaching experience, all of whom work on behalf of Oaklands College.

SIMON ARCHER Head of Academy Simon has coached Hockey for over 12 years, coaching both goalkeepers and outfield players with specialist one to one training and small group training sessions. Simon was recently appointed Head Coach of Wales Masters Ladies.

As well as coaching players to England Hockey level, his career highlights date back to 2014, where he played in New Zealand, working with St Bede’s College.

Simon has played at both National League and Premier level in both the UK and New Zealand.

An ambassador for STX Field Hockey, Simon founded the Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy and his invaluable experience has helped produced some talented players to date.

JOHN HURST Former England GK Coach, Hockey Academy Specialist Volunteer John played for England both indoor and outdoor, as well as playing for Great Britain.

A member of Team GB at six Olympic Games and five Commonwealth Games and former manager of England and GB Women between 2013 & 2016, John is a key ambassador of Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy.

With over 100 international appearances in Champions’ Trophies, European and World Cups, John’s knowledge and gold medal winning experience is paramount to the 5 success and development of our students.

TRAINING Our Hockey Academy support team are fully trained, licensed coaches with specialist experience and qualifications within their designated fields, working alongside the academy to support its student athletes.

PATRICK ESSON Osteopath Pat is an osteopath currently working with both the Hockey and Athletics Academies.

Pat graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine after achieving a first-class honours degree in Sports and Exercise Science.

A graduate of the prestigious OSCA mentorship programme, Pat transfers his invaluable experience from working in a variety of sports including rugby and elite level sprinting.

Pat supports Hockey Academy students by assessing, treating and rehabilitating and injuries that may occur throughout the season.

JOE ELLIS Strength and Conditioning Lead Joe is the Lead Strength & Conditioning coach across multiple academies at Oaklands College, having spent six years working with the Oaklands Wolves Academies.

With a MSc in Strength & Conditioning from Chester University, Joe supports students by leading gym sessions focusing on enhancing and maintaining their condition, ensuring they are at their best physically for a gruelling and competitive season of hockey.

6

TIMETABLE The Hockey Academy is passionate about supplying its students with an allround advanced training programme, focused on key areas to enhance their potential and give them a competitive edge within the sport.

Day / Time Focus Monday 9:30 - 11:30

Study morning (subject to changes)

Tuesday 9:30 - 11:30

Team indoor training (SH1) & outdoor training

11:30 - 12:00

GK’s & outfield players training plan

Wednesday 8:30 - 10:00

Gym strength & conditioning session

10:00 - 12:00

Physiotherapy

13:00 - 15:00

Academy fixtures

Thursday 9:30 - 10:30

Footwork & fitness session

10:30 - 11:30

Gym strength & conditioning session

11:30 - 14:30

Physiotherapy - Appointments only

Friday 10:00 - 12:00

Small group training, 1:1 mentoring &

technical skills, video analysis.

Saturday Game day Sunday

Work experience, if playing for SAHC

7

ACADEMY

Success & Testimonials

The Academy training schedule works around the Oaklands College Academic schedule with training sessions, usually taking place in the morning from 9:30AM to 12:00PM.

Lily Knott Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy Lily joined Oaklands College in 2017, studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management.

Currently a first year goalkeeper for AoC England Colleges as well playing for St Albans L3s.

In 2019, Lily was called up to represent the St Albans First XI indoor team, inbetween working at the St Albans Hockey Club.

Lily plans to pursue a Level 1 Coaching qualification upon completion of her Animal Management course.

Paula Kolb Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy Alumni Paula studied at Oaklands College as part of her voluntary social year at St Albans Hockey Club, after finishing school in her native Germany in the Summer of 2019.

Whilst studying at Oaklands College, Paula also studied the English Language course available through the St Albans campus, where she would train with the academy.

Paula trained two evenings per week, playing regular competitive fixtures on weekends with the Ladies 1s at St Albans Hockey Club (SAHC).

8

Paula returned to Germany towards the end of 2019 to continue her education and hockey development and has since been called up to represent the German national

ACADEMY

Success & Testimonials John Bennett Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy John, a residential student at Oaklands College joined in September 2019, enrolled onto a BTEC Level 3 Business course.

A keen passion for Hockey, John wanted to continue his development with the Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy and quickly broke into the First Team at St Albans Hockey Club, a National League side.

Before joining the Hockey Academy, John first sampled the Oaklands experience at the 2018/19 Futures Cup after hearing about the academy the year before, John won the U16s Player of the Tournament, representing Celtic Jaguars in 2019.

Most recently, John has represented Wales U18s at international level and is expected to continue his progression whilst a student at Oaklands College.

Victoria Bishop-Laggett Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy Alumni Victoria studied Level 3 Sport & Exercise Science whilst training with the Hockey Academy from 2017.

Currently playing and training with Southgate Hockey Club, alongside training at Oaklands College, Victoria has since progressed into an AoC England Colleges Goalkeeper in her second year at the college. “The course and the Hockey Academy has given me the confidence I needed to further pursue my Hockey development as both a player and person.

Victoria will be progressing onto university to study a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science.

9

ACADEMY

Success

Adam Lowenthal Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy Adam enrolled onto a Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science course in September 2019, as a platform into University where he plans to study Physiotherapy.

Adam currently plays for the St Albans Men’s 3s and U18s as well as the Hertfordshire U17s.

Adam aspires to improve his playing style and development whilst at Oaklands College and is aiming to be called up to the AoC England Colleges side this year.

Adam is on target to complete his Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science course in 2020.

Callum Burr Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy Current student Callum plays Ice Hockey for Bracknell Under 18s and has represented England Ice Hockey at Junior Level.

“I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy. I have benefited from the one-toone coaching as well as strength & conditioning sessions, which have developed me as a player of both Field and Ice Hockey.

In terms of our academy coaching, Simon goes above and beyond for all Hockey players, ensuring we are all getting the most out of our academy experience and 10 we’ve all benefited from his expertise.”

ACADEMY

Facts

11

STUDYING

at Oaklands

The College offers a broad spectrum of courses, ranging from BTEC Level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications as well as a range of A Levels which can combined to ensure every student can choose the appropriate academic pathway that suits their individual aspirations.

Students are expected to engage fully in their studies and there is regular communication with tutors and coaches to ensure all students are on target academically.

If players are falling short of expectations regarding their attendance and/ or completion of required work and assignments, students can be withdrawn from playing and/or training.

Timetable Clashes There are sometimes academic timetable clashes with training times, which we will work together to try to avoid where possible, in the event that these are unavoidable, players must recognise their academic commitments will always take priority over hockey..

Maths & English It is an expectation that all students without GCSE’s in English and Maths (graded at 4 or above) will retake English and/or Maths alongside their main programme, either as a GCSE or Functional Skills Qualification.

Student Advice Team Oaklands College has an excellent student advice team who can support students with any pastoral needs. There are trained support tutors available in the Learning Resource Centre to support students with assignment work, outside of lessons.

Additional Learning Support Students also have access to additional learning support for students with particular needs, either on a one to one basis or through in-class support, as well as special exam arrangements if required.

12

JOINING

the Academy Am I eligible?

Am I suitable?

All members of the academy programme must be enrolled as a student at Oaklands College.

Students must be 16 or 17 years old on 1st September of the year of entry.

Students applying for the academy programme are expected to have a real dedication towards improving as hockey players, students and as people.

Places may be offered on the programme subject to successful application and trial.

Students who wish to join the Academy need to be registered on a course with Oaklands College for the academic year starting September.

In order to be eligible for the Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy, it is desirable that they have a strong level of previous hockey experience and it is prefered that they have some experience at County Level.

A deep-rooted passion for the sport is the starting point for any successful academy player, accompanied by a willingness to work hard on all aspects of their game.

Students on the programme are expected to be self-motivated, and will be guided to become independent and self-organised in all aspects of their life.

The programme constitutes a significant time commitment on top of your academic studies.

Learning to balance all aspects of the academy programme and day to day college life are key to success.

13

ACADEMY

links

STX Field Hockey

The Oaklands Wolves Hockey Academy are proud to be partnered with STX Field Hockey. Our Head of Academy Simon Archer is an ambassador for the brand and regularly receives care packages filled with the latest elite kit, training equipment and high performance hockey sticks for our students to train with, further enhancing their experience and hockey development.

As a result of the partnership with STX Field Hockey, the academy has been able to deliver coaching masterclasses with Great Britain Hockey captain Alex Danson, also an STX ambassador.

This experiencs within the sport is vital towards the development of our student athletes.

St. Albans Hockey Club We are also proud to be in partnership with St. Albans Hockey Club (SAHC), with whom we share our state-of-the-art facilities.

SAHC give our Hockey Academy players the opportunity to play for them on a competitive level, if they meet performance expectations criterias for both academics and performance, if they wish to play additional matches for the club.

14

RESIDENTIAL

facilities

New residential accommodation due to be completed in June 2020.

Residential The College has a limited number of residential accommodation spaces available for students who live further afield.

Residential students are advised to play for St. Albans Hockey Club as a means of travel to and from away fixtures and helping out in the club whilst not in timetabled college hours.

Should you wish to apply for residential accommodation at the College, this should be included in the online application when prompted.

Scholarships & Bursaries

Detailed residential application packs will then be distributed for completion and places will be allocated accordingly.

Scholarship allocations are assessed and offered on an individual basis, and fulfilling the eligibility criteria does not necessarily guarantee an offer of a scholarship.

The new residential homestead will accomodate over 80 students in a secure, state-of-the-art facility complete with student lounge and communal kitchen space.

We have a scholarship fund which helps support gifted players with living, travel or kit costs.

Additionally for students from low-income families, financial support may be available to support with these costs. For more information, contact us via email at info@oaklands.ac.uk or call 01727 737000.

15

Oaklands College Hatfield Road, St Albans AL4 0XR 01727 737000

www.oaklands.ac.uk/wolves/hockey-academy @OaklandsHockey @HockeyOaklands