Talent Development Centres

Talent Development Centres were run for the first time in 2012.  Small changes have been made to the 2013 programme to provide greater support. There are three centres, one in each of the Northern, Central and Southern zones (being run by Lindsey Walters, SquashGym Palmerston North and Squash Canterbury respectively). Talent Development Centres cater to the country's top under 11 and under 13 players, and provides a forum for them to train together. The Centres address a gap in the current national squad structure, which includes the World Junior squads for the country's top juniors, and the National Development Squad for the top under 17 and under 15 players. The Talent Development Centre Programme provides top coaching and guidance for the leading younger players, and provides a stepping stone for them to reach the National Development Squad.

The programme, which will consist of three weekend camps over the course of the season, is endorsed by Squash New Zealand and recognised as being a key part of the player pathway from district to National level. As such, coaching, training, education and development opportunities will be provided for younger players showing talent at regional/national events. In order for players to be introduced early to the themes being delivered at National Squads, the New Zealand High Performance Coach will provide support to the coaches to plan the three camps. Squash New Zealand will also make a financial contribution towards the running of the programme.

High Performance Coach Paul Hornsby said "The Talent Development Centre Programme is designed to offer increased support to the country's most talented under 11 and 13 players, allowing them to train in a squad environment alongside their competitors. The benefits are clear to see in terms of education and development of both players and coaches. The ideal would be for us to create three centres across the country, this would make the sessions more accessible as well as creating a larger pool of refined players to feed the National Development Squads in future years".

2013 Selection Criteria and Hosts

Hosts

The Talent Development Centres in 2013 will be hosted in Cambridge (Northern), Palmerston North (Central) and Christchurch (Southern) respectively.

Selection Criteria

• 20 players must be selected for each TDC
• The top three players (boys and girls) on the grading list (only taking into account the TDC catchment area) in each of the under 11 and under 13 age groups as at 1 January 2013 are guaranteed invitations to participate in the TDC programme for the year.  This will ensure some transparency around selection, and should ensure that all age groups and sexes are reasonably well represented in each TDC.  Squash NZ will send TDC organisers the age group grading list as at 1 January 2013 around the middle of December. 
• The remaining eight places in the TDC are ‘wildcard selections’ at the discretion of the TDC head coach/organiser.  These wildcards can be any age group and/or sex, and could potentially include players with unlucky birthdays (who are ‘only just’ out of age as at 1 January).  Squash NZ suggests that organisers ask for nominations from neighbouring districts.
• If a player guaranteed an invitation by his/her place on the grading list turns his/her place down, that place goes into the ‘wildcard pool’.
• The 20 initially selected players must be guaranteed a place in all three TDC camps.  However, if a player(s) can’t make a camp due to injury or unavailability, his/her place may then be offered to another player.  A pool of reserves may therefore be useful.
• Squash New Zealand will communicate with the eleven districts reminding them that the TDCs are an important part of the High Performance programme, and inform them that the TDC organisers will be in touch to ask for nominations in due course.

Coaching

Each camp will select a Head Coach, and use at least two Assistant Coaches.  Coaching development will be provided to all Head Coaches by Squash NZ to ensure that themes taught are consistent across the country, and with the rest of the High Performance programme. 

When selection nominations are sent out by each TDC, nominations for Assistant Coaches will also be invited.  Each neighbouring district will receive at least one opportunity to provide an Assistant Coach (on a paid basis) at a TDC camp.  This is an important part of the High Performance Coaching Pathway, and will provide development opportunities to coaches from all around the country. 

Guest coaches/presenters are also likely to be invited from camp to camp to deliver miscellaneous themes/sessions.

2013 Squad Members

Northern

• Mathew Lucente
• Anthony Lepper
• Gabe Yam
• Eli Edwards
• Glenn Templeton
• Leo Fatialofa
• Daniel Clay
• Ben Tomlinson
• Eijah Thomas
• Te Oneroa Poutai-Watts
• Chanel Wotten
• Holly Keen O’Leary
• Annmarie Holst
• Renee Dudson
• Anika Jackson
• Kelsey Manuatu
• Ocean Shadbolt
• Ruby Saies
• Tanika Dudson
• Shawna Hawken

Central

• Kobe Fleming
• Joseph Smythe
• Ethan Martin
• Campbell Webster
• Jordan Bell
• Taylor Jamieson
• Rhiarne Taiapa
• Courtney Trail
• Amelia Wadsworth
• Gina Bailey
• Paige Stantiall
• Alani Dalrymple-Mortleman
• Annaleise Faint
• Ariata Kutia
• Samantha Harding
• Ally Harding
• Rebecca Collier

Southern

• Shalee Harris
• Anna O’Conner
• Rinaria Hepi
• Katie Light
• Syvannah Stark
• Kimberley Higgs
• Libby Young
• Sophia Sullivan
• Jessica Moore
• Scott Thurlow
• Bryce Little
• Temwa Chileshe
• Tristyn Stark
• Alec Rogers
• Lachlan Thwaites
• Todd Ryley