UK School Games National Finals

The UK School Games National Finals is an annual multi-sport event that brings together some of the UK’s most talented young athletes. Each September, representative teams from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland compete over a four-day event (3rd–6th September) at Loughborough University.

The event is designed to provide athletes with the opportunity to experience representative competition, particularly those who have not previously represented their country and/or attend a state school.

Eligibility

Players competing in this year’s Brave Cup who are age eligible (aged 16 or 17 on 31st August 2026) and have not previously represented Scotland are eligible for selection. All eligible players have been contacted directly by email.

Scotland will select one U18 Boys’ squad and one U18 Girls’ squad to compete at the event. The final squads will be announced on Wednesday 12th August.

Funding

SportScotland is subsidising a significant proportion of the costs for players and staff to attend the UK School Games, and we are extremely grateful for their continued support.

Competition Format

The Scotland squads will each play three fixtures against representative teams from:

  • England
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland

Preparation

To prepare for the competition, two training days will be held at Glasgow Green on:

  • Sunday 23rd August
  • Sunday 30th August

Selection Process

Selection for the UK School Games is entirely separate from both the National Age Group programme and Brave Cup selection. Participation in, or selection for, the UK School Games will have no bearing on future National Age Group or Brave Cup selection decisions.

We wish all athletes competing in this year’s Brave Cup every success and look forward to announcing the Scotland UK School Games squads on 12th August.

 

Scottish Hockey Schools Games Selection Policy 2026

Scottish Hockey – School Games 2026 Selection Principles

Scottish Hockey is committed to aligning with the agreed School Games selection principles while ensuring selections reflect the purpose and philosophy of our performance pathway.

Selection Principles

• Where possible, players will be selected from those currently in full time state education, with the aim of contributing towards the overall 75% target across participating nations.
• Teams will be selected to ensure a competitive and meaningful tournament experience for all nations.
• Selection will be guided by the principle of providing opportunity to players who would most benefit from this environment, rather than duplicating opportunities for those already fully embedded within national programmes.
• Scottish Hockey may utilise players within the National programme and wider pathway where appropriate to meet the above aims.

 

Selection Approach

Players will be identified and observed through the BRAVE programme across the season, with a particular focus on:

• Current performance within BRAVE environments
• Potential for future development within the Scottish Hockey pathway
• Ability to demonstrate the behaviours and standards expected within a performance environment, both on and off the pitch
• Positional balance and key skill sets required to form a competitive team

The BRAVE Cup will act as the final selection window, providing a “best v best” performance environment where players can be observed under pressure and in a competitive setting.

Final selections will be made following BRAVE Cup, informed by ongoing observation throughout the BRAVE cycle and agreed by the Scottish Hockey performance staff.

 

Additional Considerations

• Selection decisions will prioritise long term development and appropriate challenge for each player.
• Where selection falls outside of the agreed School Games principles, this will be discussed in advance with the School Games nominated contact.
• The process will remain aligned to the wider Scottish Hockey pathway philosophy of “right player, right opportunity, right time”.

Kelly Fillingham
Performance Pathway Lead Scottish Hockey

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top