Program Information
The FHBC Athlete Accelerate Program (AAP) is designed to complement training programs of community Member Clubs and is considered a supplemental technical training opportunity.
The complementary and supplemental technical training goal of this program continues in 2026-27 and is further enhanced with the inclusion of formal athlete evaluation (talent identification) opportunities, as well as formal team competition at competitive peaks that provide the basis for Team BC Provincial Athlete Selection.
In effect, the inclusion and integration of athlete evaluation and team competition into the FHBC AAP, now replace the previous athlete talent identification and evaluation programs (Stage 1), as well as the athlete U18 and U16 selection tournaments (Stage 2).
FHBC AAP remains targeted at the developmental, aspiring performance, and performance streams of athlete progression and as such is designed to offer athletes the opportunity to accelerate their technical and tactical skill set. Aligned to Field Hockey Canada’s ‘Talent System’, the FHBC AAP provides a four-point athlete advancement opportunity embracing the following program components:
- Athlete Evaluation
- Athlete Technical Training
- Athlete Tactical Team Preparation
- Athlete Competition and Potential for Provincial Selection
Program Components
Athlete Evaluation forms the basis for program inclusion, leading to an open opportunity to take advantage of the remaining program components (Athlete Technical Training, Athlete Tactical Team Preparation, Athlete Competition/Event Competitive peak/Potential for Provincial Selections).
As such, attendance at a FHBC formal athlete evaluation session is a mandatory first component of program participation and should be the first program component chosen.
- (Note: Should an athlete have an up-to-date athlete evaluation record from FHBC in the last 12 months, this could be considered in lieu of an evaluation session. If you are unsure of your status, please contact julie@fieldhockeybritishcolumbia to confirm)
The program provides athletes with 3 Evaluation opportunities, held in (September, November, and January).
If advised following your evaluation session that the FHBC AAP is developmentally appropriate, registration for the remaining program components can take place at any time thereafter and you do not need to re-attend subsequent evaluation opportunities to maintain your spot in the 2026-27 program.
Where feasible, opportunities to take advantage of evaluation, training, and team preparation will be localized across three main geographical regions: Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Interior. Feasibility of localized program delivery in each geographical region remains aligned to both facility access and availability of coaching resources.
FHBC AAP Registration
Attendance at a FHBC formal athlete evaluation session is a mandatory first component of program participation and should be the first program component chosen.
Check out the pages below for opportunities in your region:
Calendar at a Glance
The following calendar summary highlights each of FHBC AAP components:
| Event | Mainland Date | Mainland Location(s) | Island Date(s) | IsOland Location |
| Evaluation Opportunity #1 | September 27/2026 | Tamanawis | September 26/2026 | UVic |
| Evaluation Opportunity #2 | November 15/2026 | Tamanawis | November 20/2026 | UVic |
| Technical Training Block #1 (6 sessions) | November 22, 29, December 6, 13, January 10, 17 | Hamber/Tamanawis | November 27, December 4, 11, 18, January 8, 15 | UVic |
| Evaluation Opportunity #3 | January 17/2027 | Tamanawis | January 15/2027 | UVic |
| Technical Training Block #2 (4 sessions) | January 24, 31, February 7, 21 | Hamber/Tamanawis | January 22, 29, February 5, 19 | UVic |
| Tactical Team Preparation Block (3 sessions) | February 28, March 6, 14 | Hamber/Tamanawis | February 26, March 5, 12 | UVic |
| Competitive Peak Tournament/Provincial Selection Event | March 26-29 /2027 | Tamanawis | March 26-29 /2027 | Tamanawis |
Frequently Asked Questions – Athlete Evaluation
Am I required to sign up to one of the athlete evaluation sessions to participate in AAP?
Yes, this is a mandatory requirement for an athlete to have a formal evaluation record to participate in any component of the program. An evaluation record is required prior to registration in all components of the FHBC AAP. Evaluations importantly form a program assessment point to help advise athletes, parents, and coaches as to whether registration for the FHBC AAP is developmentally appropriate at the time in question.
What is involved in an evaluation session?
An evaluation session includes technical skill-based drills, game-based play, as well as a fitness test (Bronco test). Evaluation sessions act as an advisory tool as to whether athletes are at an appropriate level for program involvement, as well as an advisory tool in assisting program leaders to shape program design.
There are multiple evaluation sessions scheduled throughout the year (September, November, January). What is the attendance expectation at these sessions.
Athlete evaluation sessions form the basis for program inclusion, and to be considered for the 2026-27 AAP only one evaluation score is required. If advised following your evaluation that the FHBC AAP is developmentally appropriate, registration for the Technical and/or Tactical Team Preparation sessions can take place at any time thereafter and you do not need to re-attend subsequent evaluation opportunities to maintain your spot in the 2026-27 program. With that said, an athlete is not limited to one evaluation. If an athlete wants to improve their evaluation score, they can register and choose to attend again at a later evaluation session.
If I have attended and completed an FHBC athlete evaluation session in the past 12 months, can I request that this evaluation record be considered for program registration?
Yes, FHBC is willing to carry forward an athlete evaluation record from the last 12 months into any component of the FHBC AAP.
Frequently Asked Questions – Athlete Technical Training
Can I register at any time for technical training sessions?
Following attendance at an evaluation session, athletes will be advised as to whether the FHBC AAP is developmentally appropriate. If advised that the FHBC AAP is developmentally appropriate, registration for the technical sessions can take place at any time thereafter.
How do I know if I should register for the technical training sessions?
Technical training sessions are intended to be supplemental to training opportunities within your club, league, or team environment. If you are already receiving 4-6 hours per week of technical training contact time through your Member Club or in combination with other community entities, then participation in this FHBC program is not considered to be a necessary priority.
Does an athlete have to declare a desire to be selected to the FHBC Provincial Program to be eligible to participate in the FHBC AAP?
No, the FHBC AAP is viewed as a progressional athlete development program and does not require an athlete’s prior commitment to the FHBC Provincial Program.
Frequently Asked Questions – Tactical Team Preparation, Competive Peak, and Potential for Provincial Selection
Is the team competitive peak the selection event for the FHBC Provincial Program?
Yes, the FHBC AAP competitive peak is the formal selection point for the FHBC Provincial Program.
What is involved with the AAP Competitive Peaks?
FHBC will be hosting both a U18 and a U16 Female AAP Competitive Tournament over the Easter Long Weekend. For 2027, these tournament competitive peaks will take place at Tamanawis Park in Surrey, March 26-29, 2027. FHBC will consider the feasibility to host similar U18 and U16 Male competitive peaks, however this will be subject to sufficient critical mass (minimum of three team rosters per age group).
Is there an ability requirement for registration and participation in the tactical team preparation and competitive peak stages of the program?
Yes, an evaluation session record that meets the standard required to move forward to the tactical team preparation and competitive peak stages of the program is required prior to registration. If in doubt, please contact a member of the FHBC staff team for advice prior to registration.
Is registration and participation in the tactical team preparation sessions required in advance of a team competitive peak?
Yes, the tactical team preparation sessions and competitive peak are considered as one component of the AAP.
Do I need to have already taken part in the technical training sessions to register for team tactical sessions and the competitive peak?
No, technical training sessions are offered as supplemental training opportunities and as such there is no requirement to have been involved in these sessions prior to registration for tactical team preparation sessions. Athletes will only need the Evaluation component to register for these blocks