Scottish Hockey launches Scotland Development Programme

8th January 2025

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Scottish Hockey is delighted to launch the Scotland Development Programme (SDP), an initiative designed to provide exceptional opportunities for players with the potential to become future senior international players paving the way to achieve excellence on the international stage.

Catering for athletes up to the age of 23, the SDP will support the transition of players between the national aspiring and senior programmes, forming a critical link in Scotland’s player pathway.

As an integral part of the performance development stage within the Scottish Hockey pathway, the SDP is committed to cultivating the next generation of international athletes. It offers an inspiring and motivational environment that nurtures talent and ambition within a highly structured hockey framework.

The programme aspires to deliver unparalleled experiences that instill a profound sense of accomplishment while illuminating a clear pathway to senior international hockey. Players will gain access to U21 competitive opportunities, age-group competitions, and potential early exposure to senior international hockey, fostering their passion and drive to excel in the sport.

Whilst many players will continue their academic pursuits, often at university, they will be encouraged to make intentional lifestyle choices that align with, and support, their journey toward becoming elite hockey athletes. The SDP represents a commitment to excellence, setting the foundation for Scotland’s future success on the world stage.

Kelly Fillingham, Performance Pathway Lead, said, “We’re really excited about launching the SDP, it’s something that has been in the works for a while now, so it’s great to be able to share it with everybody. This follows our shift to a stage over age approach and giving players the right opportunities at the right time.

“I’m looking forward to seeing both players that have been in our pathway previously, and players that may be new to us or been out of the pathway for a while. The SDP gives these players the opportunity to come back into a Scotland programme and it will be a privilege to support our SDP players on the next stage of their journey.”

Who is the SDP for?

The Scotland Development Programme (SDP) is for players who are eligible to represent Scotland but are not currently part of the Scotland national aspiring or senior squads. Players must be under the age of 23 as of January 1, 2025, to qualify for this exciting development opportunity.

Objectives for the Scotland Development Programme (SDP)

Discover and Cultivate World-Class Talent
Identify and nurture the most promising athletes with the potential to evolve into senior internationalists capable of performing at the highest global standards.
Develop a Holistic Performance Programme
Establish a comprehensive development programme that empowers players to unlock their full potential, focusing on enhancing technical skills, physical conditioning, mental resilience, and the character traits essential for achieving top level success.
Achieve Excellence in Junior International Competitions
Build and support junior international teams that excel in U21 and non-U21 tournaments, including the Junior European Championships, Junior World Cups, and other prestigious global competitions.
Foster a Winning Mindset and Team Ethos
Cultivate a culture of excellence, collaboration, and ambition within the programme, preparing players to thrive in competitive environments and contribute to Scotland’s long-term hockey success.
Strengthen Pathways to Senior Hockey
Provide athletes with clear and visible opportunities to progress into senior international hockey, inspiring them to aspire for greatness and make impactful contributions on the world stage.
Promote Balanced Athlete Development
Encourage players to harmonise their hockey ambitions with personal and academic pursuits, fostering well-rounded individuals equipped for both sporting and life success.

Selection Process for the Scotland Development Programme (SDP)

The SDP follows an annual cycle from January to September, with an adjusted schedule for the women’s programme running from January to December in 2025 to accommodate the U21 World Cup.

A formal assessment session will be held every January, supplemented by ad hoc assessments throughout the year as needed. These additional assessments are determined collaboratively by the SDP Head Coach and the Performance Pathway Lead. Players involved, including those already in the programme, will be notified in advance about any ad hoc sessions.

For the 2025 cycle, two open nomination trials will take place:

Women’s Pathway: January 24th, 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM, at Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
Men’s Pathway: February 28th, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM, at Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Athletes interested in participating must complete the self-nomination form below linked in The form must be submitted no later than 9:00 AM on January 20th, 2025. After this point, no further applications will be accepted.

This selection process ensures that all players have an equal opportunity to showcase their potential and join the SDP.

SDP Nomination Form 2025

How Does the SDP Run?

The Scotland Development Programme (SDP) is primarily delivered through monthly training camps held at either Peffermill in Edinburgh or the Glasgow National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green. These camps are scheduled around senior training sessions to encourage collaboration and integration between the programmes.

Training schedules adapt to align with competition phases and the Scottish league calendar, ensuring players can balance club and development commitments effectively.

The men’s and women’s programmes are led by part-time head coaches, supported by pathway coaching teams who also contribute to the SDP. Oversight is provided by the Performance Pathway Lead in consultation with Head Coach and Programme Leads, ensuring a seamless approach to player development and transition. Performance support services, including physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and performance analysis, are shared across the pathway.

The SDP will also integrate with senior teams at times through joint training sessions, practice matches, and occasional invitations for players to engage directly with the senior programme. Competitive development opportunities include home nations U19 and U21 international competitions, as well as U19, U21, and U23 matches and series against other nations.

How is the SDP Funded?

The SDP operates through player contributions, covering the core training costs. Scottish Hockey is also actively seeking sponsorship and innovative fundraising methods to support the programme and reduce financial barriers for participants.

Eligibility to Play for Scotland

To be eligible to represent Scotland within any of our national squads specific criteria must be met. Please see the Eligibility section at Scotland – Scottish Hockey for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Fillingham, Performance Pathway Lead, at [email protected]