Leinster U16 Girls

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 Summer Panel from June through to August.

Players not selected for the Summer Panel will 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 Summer Panel, the programme culminates in the Interprovincial Tournament, currently held each August. Over three days of high-quality hockey, Leinster faces Leinster South, Ulster, Munster and Connacht in one of the standout events within the development calendar.

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

Beginning in October, the squad trains regularly throughout the season and takes part in a range of matches and in-house games. As the programme progresses, players have the opportunity to work towards selection for a number of key milestones, including the Hague Tournament, the Summer Training Panels and ultimately the Interprovincial squads.

A highlight of the programme is the annual trip to the Hague Tournament in the Netherlands. Competing against some of the top youth teams in Europe, the tournament provides a fantastic opportunity for players to challenge themselves on the pitch while also creating lasting friendships and memories with teammates and families off it.

The programme continues to grow and develop each year, with exciting training sessions, matches and team experiences helping players from across the province reach their potential and enjoy their hockey.

As always, we would like to thank AerCap for their continued support of the Leinster Hockey Development Programme. Since becoming our proud partner in 2019, AerCap's sponsorship has helped us continue to grow and enhance opportunities for young players across the province.

Leinster U16 Girls Staff

Head Coach: John Pearson

John is an experienced 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 and is currently involved with Pembroke Wanderers Women’s 2nds, alongside coaching at Loreto Foxrock where he also works professionally.

Manager: Karen Fennelly

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

She is 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 a coach and Assistant Coach of the Leinster U16 Girls.

She has coached across several clubs in Wicklow at both men’s and women’s level and is currently involved with Bray Hockey Club.

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

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