The English Ice Hockey Association has announced an expansion to the Elite Player Pathway programme support team, reinforcing the association’s commitment to developing ice hockey talent across England and Wales.
The Elite Player Pathway represents a comprehensive framework designed to identify, nurture and develop talented ice hockey players from grassroots through to elite competition. This structured approach ensures that players of all ages receive appropriate coaching, competition opportunities and support services aligned with their developmental stage.
The programme operates through a combination of centralised camps, regional training sessions and club-based development. Athletes benefit from regular contact time with specialist coaches, exposure to high-level competition, and access to sports science and medical support. The pathway adopts developmental principles consistent with the Long-Term Athlete Development model, ensuring age-appropriate training and competition at each stage.
Key to the programme’s success is the team of specialist staff working across multiple disciplines to support athlete development. Programme directors oversee strategic development and delivery, whilst qualified coaches provide technical and tactical instruction. Sports science practitioners support physical development, and medical staff ensure player welfare throughout the pathway.
Programme Expansion
The expansion of the Elite Player Pathway support team reflects the association’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality and reach of development programmes. Additional specialist staff enable the programme to increase the frequency and quality of training camps, provide more individualised player development plans, and strengthen links between club and national programmes. Enhanced sports science and medical support provision ensures athletes receive comprehensive care throughout their development journey.
This integrated approach recognises that athlete development is a progressive journey requiring appropriate physical, technical and tactical development at each stage. The programme balances training, competition and recovery, whilst recognising individual developmental timelines. Integration of education and life skills alongside athletic development ensures young players are supported both on and off the ice.
The continued development of the Elite Player Pathway programme aligns with the EIHA’s broader strategic objectives. Through investment in specialist staff and programme infrastructure, the association aims to create an environment where talented players can reach their full potential whilst maintaining the enjoyment and passion that drew them to ice hockey. The programme focuses on producing players capable of competing at the highest levels whilst ensuring sustainable participation and development opportunities across all levels of the sport.
Getting Involved
Details regarding Elite Player Pathway selection processes, camp schedules and programme requirements are communicated through club contacts and published on the EIHA website. Players, parents and coaches seeking additional information should contact the EIHA office or review programme documentation available through the association’s online resources.
For enquiries regarding the Elite Player Pathway programme, contact the EIHA at [email protected].