The Leinster U16 Girls programme brings together players from clubs and schools across the province, providing them with the opportunity to train, compete and represent Leinster throughout the season. 

District Phase

Entry into the programme begins through the U14/U15 Development Programme, where schools and clubs nominate players for both development and assessment. Clubs and schools are also able to renominate players from previous seasons, recognising the different development pathways and rates of progression for young players.

Following nomination, players are placed into District Development Panels, where they train together and take part in inter-district matches throughout the season. This phase of the programme culminates in the Leinster Regional Blitz/Tournament each April or May, involving approximately 12 girls teams (including Leinster and Leinster South districts) and six boys teams competing across a full day of hockey.

From these district panels, a number of players are then selected to represent Leinster and Leinster South at the National U15 Festival/Tournament, where six girls teams and three boys teams compete against teams from the other provinces. 

Interprovincial Phase

The National Festival marks the conclusion of the initial development phase, with approximately 35 players then invited into the Leinster U16 Girls Summer Panel from June through to August.

Players not selected for the Summer Panel continue their development pathway through the District Cup competition, which takes place throughout June and July. The District Cup provides players with additional competitive match opportunities while continuing to represent their districts, before culminating in a finals day for both girls and boys competitions.

For players selected as part of the Leinster U16 Girls Summer Panel, the programme culminates in the Interprovincial Tournament, currently held each August. Over three days ofhockey, Leinster faces Leinster South, Ulster, Munster and Connacht in one of the standout events within the development calendar.

Representing Leinster at Interprovincial level is a huge achievement and one of the highlights of the player pathway. 

As always, we would like to sincerely thank our dedicated Development Programme sponsor, AerCap. Their continued support of the Leinster Hockey Development Programme allows us to continually grow, improve and enhance opportunities for young players across the province, while helping strengthen the player pathway year on year. 

Coaching Staff: 

John Pearson: Head Coach

John is an experienced hockey coach and is currently in his second season as Head Coach of the Leinster U16 Girls.

He has been involved with Leinster Hockey for a number of years across a variety of coaching roles and also spent time coaching in the UK while studying at the University of Plymouth.

John has coached extensively at both junior and senior club level, most recently as Head Coach of Pembroke Wanderers Women’s 2nds, while also coaching at Loreto Foxrock where he works professionally.

Manager: Karen Fennelly

Karen is the Manager of the Leinster U16 Girls and has been involved in the Leinster Hockey Development Programme in both management and coaching roles.

She is also heavily involved with Botanic Hockey Club in Dublin, where she coaches across both the adult and junior sections of the club.

Assistant Coach: Diane Henderson 

Diane has been involved with Leinster Hockey for a number of years, both as a player representing Leinster at U16, U18 and U21 level, and now within the Development Programme as Assistant Coach of the Leinster U16 Girls.

She has coached across several clubs in Wicklow at both men’s and women’s level, most recently with Bray Hockey Club.

Professionally, Diane works as an Event Director and also holds her Hockey Ireland Level 1 and Level 2 coaching qualifications.