The Academy: A Pathway to Excellence
What is The Academy?
The Academy is an evolution of our successful Performance Academy, which ran for eight seasons as a Tuesday evening training programme. Originally designed for top juniors playing adult hockey for Southgate on Saturdays, it provided elite coaching from the Men’s 1st Team players and coaches.
Now known as The Academy, this programme has been refined and expanded to include:
- Invited Southgate players: Juniors eligible to play senior hockey this season.
- Selected players from local schools: Talented individuals who are not Southgate members but are keen to experience high-level hockey in a club environment.
Who Can Join?
The Academy is invite-only and caters to junior players demonstrating exceptional skill and potential. Participants benefit from specialized coaching designed to elevate their game, with guidance from the Men’s 1st Team Coach, Huw Stevens, and various players from our National Premier Division Men’s 1st Team.
Training Structure
- When: Tuesday evenings, 7:00–8:00 PM.
- Season: Runs in two blocks during the Premier Division season.
- What’s Included:
- Weekly elite-level training.
- Opportunity to learn from and train with National Premier Division players.
- Juniors are encouraged to stay after their session to watch the 1st Team train.
Why Join The Academy?
- Elite Coaching: Train with some of the best hockey players and coaches in the region.
- Club Integration: Experience the dynamics of a high-performance club environment.
- Future Pathways: Build the skills and confidence needed to transition into senior hockey.