Last month, the England and Great Britain women programmes announced that they were working together to develop a pathway for young female players from under-13 right through to full international levels with GB U18 an GB Women.
The first UK Women’s Development Camp takes place this weekend in Sheffield with three groups of players taking part in a two-day camp featuring on-ice training, off-ice conditioning, classroom sessions, video tutorials and in-house games.
Coaches from the England National Team Programme will join Great Britain staff to work with the players across the weekend.
England head coach Ben Pitchley has also secured the help of GB international Kim Lane to work with the players on Saturday.
Pitchley said: “I am excited by this joined up women and girls programme, it makes sense to share resources and get as many young girls into the player pathway as possible.
“This first camp will be a lot of hard work for the players and the coaches but it will be a great first step in the process.
“I am also delighted to have Kim Lane join us on Saturday. Kim is proof that hard work, 100% commitment and dedication will get you noticed in the girls game.
“She has played conference hockey up until the age of 13 for the South East and was playing boys hockey up to U16 level.
“She has also played England girls at various levels and for Great Britain, has 15 World Championship U18 games under her belt, plus 23 senior appearances.
“For the past two season has been a pro hockey player in Switzerland playing for SC Reinach Damen.
“I am sure the players at the camp will learn from her on the ice but also hearing her experiences playing with GB and playing abroad.”
Our social media will have updates from behind the scenes in camp all weekend.