1. Round 1 will be the “Pool round”, this will be Emerging schools, schools new to indoor, wanting an experience. The top 2 from each pool will progress to round 2, with 2 seeded teams from the intermediate schools.

2. Round 2 will be the “Heat Round”, this will have the winner and runner up from the Pool round join two seeded teams from Intermediate teams in a group of 4.  The winner and runner-up from each group will progress into the qualifier round with 2 seeded High Performing Schools. 

3. Round 3, this is the “Qualifier round”- the groups will be made up of a winner and runner up from the Heat round with 2 seeded High Performing Schools, this will be a group of 4. The winner will progress to Tier 1, runner up will go to Tier 2.

• If there are less teams, we will have smaller rounds

• This is done to avoid miss matches and give more schools an opportunity to play indoor hockey without the threat of playing a experienced indoor hockey school. 

• This will help limit time out of school and make sure teams get an opportunity in the right environment and then a second round with more challenge.

• Most rounds will be after school or in the afternoon.

• Finals will be a whole day.

• If an emerging school does have a cup run and plays all 3 rounds and the finals, Well Done! 

Pool, Heat and Qualifiers

4 team mini-tournament at Pool, Heat and Qualifiers

• 3 ½ hours 

• 30 min slots/per a match

• 12 min halves 

Round Robin at Emerging schools if we need to have 5 teams. 

• 5 teams 

• 3 hours

• 20-minute slots

• Either 16 min one way or 8 minutes a half

Umpires

We will try to get umpires for the rounds, but schools need to be ready to umpire.

Cost

I want to take any obstacles for schools to enter away.  We won’t be charging an entry, if we cant get enough sports halls we need to charge those schools. I hope schools will be able to offer their sports halls.

The finals will have a small cost involved, but I will keep this very open and hopefully will not be a deterrent to teams entering.

Refined Definitions

HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS

Specialise in hockey. May play two terms. Successfully compete at Tier 1. Regularly develop a number of players who play in the EHL for local clubs and for England age group teams.

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS

Traditional hockey playing schools playing one term with regular block fixtures against other schools. May have some players who play in EHL for local clubs for England age group teams.

EMERGING SCHOOLS

Schools who play some hockey but may not have regular block fixtures. Mainly players who play at a local club and some who play at school only.