GB Youth was originally part of the framework agreement, in recognition of the responsibility to have a youth programme running across Great Britain.

It was originally felt that this would be resolved by England, Scotland and Wales meeting on a regular basis across all the age groups.

However, when Great Britain, through the British Olympic Association, was invited to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, it allowed the three Home Nations to focus on an elite youth team.  The criteria for the men’s and women’s team to participate in Sydney was that selection would be for boys and girls aged 16-20 who had the minimum potential to play international hockey to those who had the potential to become future Olympians. 

In 2006, Great Britain Hockey Ltd (GBHL) produced the selection process by creating an event at which two teams from England, one from Scotland and one from Wales trained and played over a five day period. 

Following the GB Youth Trials, a training squad of 30 players was selected.  From that selection and over a period of three months preparation, this was reduced to a squad of 18 who then travelled to Australia to compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January 2007. 

Whilst 18 players travelled to Sydney, only 16 were selected for the competition in order to mirror Olympic rules. 

Beginning in 2008, Great Britain now runs an annual Youth programme and in January 2009 and 2011 it is hoped that a GB team will compete in the AYOF.  For the even years GBHL is currently reviewing other appropriate competition.

On 28 November 2009 GB Hockey announced the names of the athletes selected to represent Great Britain at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF).  To read the full announcement click here or click here to be taken to the squad page.

>> Click here to visit the British Olympic Association's 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival web pages

>> Click here to see how GB Youth got on at the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival