It has been a fantastic start to the 2026/27 hockey season at AKS with not only many teams enjoying cup successes but also we celebrate superb individual success as 8 of our talented hockey players, the highest school representation yet, are selected to be part of the elite England Hockey North West Talent Academy.
After an extensive assessment programme since September with over 50 young players from the North West attending the 8 AKS players were selected to join the NW TA Squad for the 2026/27 season. Congratulations to Sophia M, Emily B, Sadie A, Alyssa W, Charlotte R, Sophia T and Evie G who have been selected as part of the NW Talent Academy Squad and Penny A in the Development Squad.
The NW Talent Academy forms part of the England Hockey Talent Pathway for young players with potential to become England players of the future. As part of the NW TA Squad the AKS players will have weekly training sessions with the top coaches in the area working on all of the key skills essential in the international game. They will work towards developing skills and understanding working towards raising their level of performance and playing matches against other Talent Academies at weekends throughout the year with the season culminating in a festival in July. Throughout the programme the girls will be monitored and mentored by the coaches and as they develop there may be the opportunity to continue up the England Hockey ladder with their ultimate goal being selection for England Age Group trials.
All the girls are key members of their school teams and will no doubt bring what they learn back to their school games and hence raise the standard of play and achievements of all the AKS players. An exciting time lies ahead on the hockey scene at AKS.