Leinster Hockey Development Programme – 2025/2026 Update

It’s been an exciting time for the Leinster Hockey Development Programme! This season, the focus is on giving players more match opportunities, increasing exposure, and enhancing the enjoyment and development of everyone involved. Below is an update on some of the work that has been ongoing, with further information to follow for each team and upcoming events.

Provincial Pathway Programmes 2026

Following a review and consultation with key stakeholders, the Leinster Provincial Pathway programmes for 2026 will return to a format featuring more matches, both within the province and abroad, including regular fixtures against the other Irish provinces.

In addition, the Under-20 / U21 programmes will be reinstated, reflecting strong support from clubs, players, and other provinces for representative hockey at this important age group.

Planning is ongoing, but we have already accepted an invitation to an Easter tournament in Holland for the Girls’ and Boys’ U16 and U18 teams. Additional matches are also being arranged for the February mid-term and summer periods. Once finalised, full programme details will be communicated, and we hope the expanded match schedule and overseas tournaments will be positively received.

Selection and Coaching in the LHA Development Programme

Players selected for a Leinster Interprovincial squad in August/September 2025 will be invited to attend coaching and assessment sessions alongside players who were not successful in the final assessment phase for their 2026 age group (U16, U18, U20).

This group will also include Leinster Interprovincial tournament players currently under assessment as part of the Irish extended panels, with unsuccessful players being informed around December/January.

Additionally, Leinster Senior Schools have been asked to nominate players they feel have developed to, or are approaching, provincial standard for their age group. These players will be assessed alongside the groups above. Further details on selection dates and estimated numbers for each phase will be communicated in due course.

Please note: Selection for the Leinster Provincial Pathway Programme is ongoing, and previous selection for Leinster or Ireland underage teams does not guarantee future selection.

Leinster Hockey clubs have also been invited to nominate U20 players (born 2007 & 2008) based on the above criteria, including any players they feel may have been overlooked through the schools’ nomination process.

Leinster Development Programme & District Hockey

For 2026, players born in 2012 (U15s) are now eligible for nomination by their schools. Clubs may also nominate players not attending a hockey-playing school, or those they feel have been overlooked but meet the required standard.

These changes aim to streamline the initial nomination process, reducing the number of players assessed at District centres for further coaching and matches.

Successful players will be assigned to a District team and will participate in the annual Leinster District Blitz.

At the conclusion of this phase, Leinster Hockey will select three regional teams to compete in a National U15 Festival in May against other provincial regional teams. Performances during the programme and at the festival will inform the selection of Leinster U16 Girls and Boys Summer Panels, as well as Leinster South U16 Girls Panels. These panels will train over the summer and compete in the Interprovincial Tournament against the other provinces. This Summer Panel will also include eligible 2011 players entering their second year of Leinster U16 selection.

Thank You, AerCap
We would like to sincerely thank our dedicated sponsors, AerCap, whose ongoing support of the Leinster Hockey Development Programme has allowed us to continually grow and enhance the programme.