Formerly known as the England Hockey Schools U18 Tier 1 Competition, the 2026-27 season will bring some changes. The regional format is unchanged, but a few alterations to divisions are set to add some new spice to the campaign.
Now there are 37 teams in the girls’ competition, which also features new entries from Kirkham Grammar, Ardingly, Bede’s, Godalming and St Peter’s (York). There have been cases of several recognised programmes relocated from one region to another, which in turn transformed the four groups.
Epsom progress to the East, where all eight South League wins last season will put them into an unbeaten run. Repton proved to be one of the biggest hitters in the North after a strong campaign, and Clifton and Millfield maintain their strong presence in the West. Epsom and Surbiton High have left a shambles in the South.
There has also been significant movement in the boys’ competition; except Barr, all have at least half the variance of the boys’ competition that they failed to achieve in 2011! The South begins to be replaced from the West by Cranleigh and from the South by Eltham. New additions to the North are Dean Close and The Perse, and another new name for Sutton Valence in the East.
Goodbye also has to go to quite a few coaches. Repton have signed former England and Great Britain hockey international Erica Sanders as their new Director of Hockey, and Epsom added the services of former GB and England international Cath Nicholson. Millfield were joined again by Will Heywood as their Head of Hockey along with Cranleigh and King’s College, Taunleigh who started the season from new also.
The 3-player rule may become a factor once again this season. Minimisation of player development requirements, and continuity of player development squads, and school pathways places an emphasis upon player development.
Regional league jobs also will have more weight. The top two from each region will advance to the National top eight with third and fourth placed teams entering the Plate competition. For the Super League 2026–27, there’s also plenty of reshuffling in the area to look forward to, as well as new schools and coaching changes.
About the Author
