Nominations open for 2020/21 AoC Sport national representative teams

AoC Sport is delighted to announce the trials process for our football, hockey and netball national representative teams for the 2020-21 season. Nominations open for all teams on Friday 2 October but please note the process will be different due to COVID-19 restrictions and must be adhered to. AoC Sport offers this unique opportunity to all members so the most talented students can represent their country in one of three sports. It is the pinnacle of college sport and is an enriching experience for everyone involved. Colleges are encouraged to nominate players who they consider to be of an appropriate standard for national representation.

COVID-19 restrictions

We will be following Government guidance around the coronavirus and view the health and safety of everyone involved of paramount importance. Therefore, the restrictions in place during the trials process are subject to change and risk assessments.

• All nominations must be made through our Naqoda entry system via the Club Administrator. If you are not an administrator, you must contact your college administrator and submit the details.
• All trialists must be registered on our Naqoda entry system due to the current COVID-19 track and trace regulations. If a player arrives who is not registered, they will not be able to trial. No player should attend if they have not received their invitation email/letter.
• It is recommended that players arrive ready for play. We have access to changing rooms but this is for essential use and may change if further restrictions are enforced. Please also be mindful of inclement weather conditions.
• Be mindful that spectator numbers may be restricted or not allowed at all at some venues. This could include parents and supporters. This will be communicated prior to the trials.

The attached safety protocols will be in place at the ECFA trials. The hockey and netball safety protocols will be available here shortly. Please note the dates and deadlines below are all subject to possible change

England Colleges national team trials

All AoC Sport full member colleges are invited to nominate football players for the England Colleges national team through the Naqoda entry system. The deadline for football nominations is Tuesday 20 October 2020. Any players that made the 2019-20 national squad automatically progress to the phase two trials. However, colleges must complete the nomination entry form as normal otherwise they will not be eligible to trial. Phase one trial dates are as follows: Monday 26 October: Bishop Burton College (North Trial) Tuesday 27 October: Newcastle Under Lyme College (Midland Trial) Thursday 29 October: USP College (East Trial) Friday 30 October: Weston-Super-Mare Football Club (West Trial) The final trial will take place on: Saturday 14 November for the women Sunday 15 November for the men If you have any questions regarding the football representative trials, please contact Ian Barber

England Colleges national hockey trials

All AoC Sport members are invited to nominate men’s and women’s players for the hockey national team but they must be under 19 students (31 August 2020 – still age restricted due to playing under 16 opposition). The deadline for hockey nominations is Tuesday, 17 November 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we will be holding only one trial. If we are over-subscribed then we may contact the nominators for confirmation of the standard of players, as some will not be able to attend. No player should attend if they have not received their invitation email/letter. The final trial to select the men’s and women’s squads will be: Friday 4 December in the Midlands (venue TBC) from 10am-4pm. Registration from 9.30am. Postponed until late January or early February due to national lockdown. If you have any questions regarding the hockey representative trials, please contact Vanessa Bowen.

England Colleges national netball trials

All AoC Sport members are invited to nominate players for the national netball team. Please ensure you fully complete the nominated player’s representative level, preferred positions and club side. Players must have or still play at county, regional or national level to be considered. Before nominating please ensure your players meet the criteria below: Netball player selection criteria 2020-21 The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 17 November 2020. The final trial will take place at the David Ross Centre, Nottingham University on: Thursday 3 December from 12pm-4pm Friday 4 December from 10am-3pm Postponed until late January or early February due to national lockdown. All players attending the final trial will need to attend on both days and pay £20 to attend. A maximum of 20 players will be selected. If you have any questions regarding the netball representative trials, please contact Vanessa Bowen.

Nomination deadlines overview:

Football – Tuesday, 20 October Hockey – Tuesday, 17 November Netball – Tuesday, 17 November Visit the national representative teams page.