![IB20220416 0087 by Irfon Bennett.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1c02ee_b43caf68f5f8458fa046e247749134cf~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_306,w_2432,h_3035/fill/w_375,h_468,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IB20220416%200087%20by%20Irfon%20Bennett_JPG.jpg)
What is County Hockey?
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County Hockey will provide an exciting and aspirational representative opportunity for the 12-17 year age groups, that provides a different experience to club or school hockey.
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Previously known as Dragon Development Centres (DDC's)
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It is a development experience, focused on preparing for and competing in representative teams.
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It is the entry level for the Hockey Wales Player Pathway and counties can nominate players for Regional Hockey (RPC's) and/or Wales National Age Groups (NAG's).
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For some players County Hockey will be one of several talent development opportunities they access. For others it will be the pinnacle of their representative hockey.
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County Hockey also has an important role in providing development opportunities for players, coaches, administrators and umpires from across our game.
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Players must be nominated by their teacher / coach to enter into the pathway.
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Entry into the County Pathway is for players in school Year 8 upwards and up to U17 National age range (International competition age not school year for this upper end).
![0S7A4379.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bf0b9f_342e24f6426a414590dfd00050ac88c3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_72,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/bf0b9f_342e24f6426a414590dfd00050ac88c3~mv2.jpg)
What are the County Areas?
The locations of County Hockey Centres are dependent on the demand in different areas nationally and therefore will be bespoke towards the geographical need.
![Pathway County Areas.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a54d82_30a0b8dfd9d7489abbce08fefd6338be~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_27,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Pathway%20County%20Areas.png)
![NAG Boys 3 - Web.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a54d82_8bf8536e53964749beb14f7079d937aa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_166,h_96,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a54d82_8bf8536e53964749beb14f7079d937aa~mv2.jpg)
What are the County dates?
![Pathway County Dates - Website (1).png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a54d82_b7ed70cf375b4078865ee40983b9318a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_122,h_122,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Pathway%20County%20Dates%20-%20Website%20(1).png)