Watersley R+D Icehockey Academy
Mission 2030
Who doesn’t dream of the Olympic Games? We certainly do. In fact, we’re not just dreaming — we’re working towards it. Many Watersley athletes have already made the successful leap to the Olympic stage. Now, we want to do the same with young female ice hockey players. Watersley is preparing young women for the Olympic Games of 2030. Are you in?
Icehockey
Watersley offers talented athletes a chance to live and train in an inspiring environment, with access to an innovative and comprehensive development program. Our goal is to promote steady athletic progression and help athletes reach elite levels.
Watersley is home to its own residential campus and serves as a dynamic hub for triathletes, cyclists — and now, emerging female ice hockey players, all coached and supported by professionals.
Girls’ Ice Hockey
Starting in 2025, Watersley will launch a new academy team for girls born between 2007 and 2010. "Watersley" will now stand not only for the park and organization but also for this brand-new ice hockey team. The initiative is designed as a training institution, complementing existing clubs within the ice hockey community.
In the Watersley model, players live, train, study, and play together. They’ll reside in the Watersley Hockey House and practice/play at the brand-new Glanerbrook ice rink in Geleen. All off-ice training, such as strength and conditioning, takes place on the Watersley campus.
Our staff is made up of dedicated professionals who can focus entirely on the academy. This includes ice hockey coaches, strength & conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychologists, and pedagogues.
Program
Mission 2030 is the guiding vision for the Watersley Ice Hockey Academy. The goal is to unlock the full potential of each player through a targeted on-ice and off-ice training program.
The program is far more extensive than what’s typically offered by a regular club. Players receive approximately 8 hours of ice training per week (excluding games), including specialized sessions in:
- Individual skills
- Power skating
- Team training
- Defense/Offense
- Special teams
Additional training covers:
- Game theory
- Movement & decision-making analysis
- Video analysis
The academy also integrates the comprehensive athlete support systems already in place at Watersley, drawing inspiration from top ice hockey nations while remaining open to innovation. Support includes:
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- Strength & conditioning
- Nutritional guidance
- Mental coaching
- Educational & social support
Watersley maintains strong connections with organizations like Red Bull Salzburg, Kölner Haie, NCAA, and Swedish ice hockey academies and clubs.
Watersley Wheel of Life
Watersley has developed the Watersley Wheel of Life — a monitoring tool that gives our coaches, mentors, nutritionists, and psychologists a shared view of each athlete’s overall wellbeing. Regular check-ins help us monitor the mental, physical, and social health of our players and make adjustments as needed.
Competition
Under the guidance of Ice Hockey Netherlands, Watersley participates in Dutch league competitions. Depending on the skill level, the team may compete in a boys’ league — likely U17 — to provide high-quality opposition from day one.
The team will also play strong opponents in surrounding countries and take part in international tournaments. The possibility of joining a German league is currently being explored.
Staff & members
Head Coach
Two Assistant Coaches
Team Manager
Physiotherapist
Equipment Manager
Strength & Conditioning Trainer
Video Analyst
Goalie coach
Nutritionist
Pedagogue (support for life, living, and education)
Mental Coach
Staff names will be announced later as recruitment is still ongoing. The head coach will be a full-time professional with a proven background in youth development and high-level coaching, ideally from a leading hockey nation.
Watersley collaborates closely with Ice Hockey Netherlands, but operates independently from the national teams. However, the lines of communication with national coaches and team managers remain short and strategic.
Housing
Watersley Sports & Talentpark is an international campus housing up to 500 young talents from the Netherlands and abroad. It's located in a green area on the edge of the Sittard-Geleen urban zone, with the Glanerbrook ice rink as the team’s home rink.
Players of the Watersley Ice Hockey Academy will live in the Hockey House, each with their own fully furnished private room. Shared areas include a living room, dining room, multiple bathrooms, toilets, and a kitchen. Rent includes utilities and internet; food is not included.
House coaches act as mentors, helping with daily routines, personal responsibility, and hygiene. They work closely with the academy’s pedagogues and coaching staff. Alternatively, players may rent a private apartment on campus.
Rent allowance / Living away from home allowance
If you hold a European nationality, you may be eligible for housing allowance from the Dutch government. Watersley can assist in checking your eligibility and estimating the possible amount.
School & Work
Watersley partners with local secondary schools like Graaf Huyn in Geleen en Trevianum & DaCapo to ensure a flexible academic schedule. This allows players to successfully combine school and sport. Staff members monitor each athlete's academic progress in close collaboration with schools. All schools are within easy reach of Watersley and the ice rink.
In addition to secondary education, vocational (MBO), applied sciences (HBO), and university education are available within 30–60 minutes of Watersley, in cities such as Heerlen, Maastricht, Sittard, Aachen, Cologne, Leuven, Liège, and Eindhoven.
As Watersley continues to grow, more job opportunities are opening up. The park and its network offer part-time jobs in various industries to support players financially during their stay.
Costs & Registration
Application Process & Financial Terms
Interested players may contact us directly to apply. The program for the 2025–2026 season begins in September 2025. The application and selection process consists of:
- Application submission
Send a brief message to: ijshockey@watersley.com onder vermelding van: mission 2030. Hierin omschrijf je waarom je onderdeel wilt zijn van de academie en welke ambities je hebt. Benoem in deze brief ook je positie, geboortedatum & huidige schoolsituatie (in welke klas zit je nu en wat ga je volgend jaar doen). - Initial evaluation
Watersley will schedule an on-ice test session. Date, time, and location will be shared with you. If potential is seen, you'll be invited for an informal interview to get to know you better and explain the program in detail. Prepare your questions for this meeting.
- Final decision
Based on the test and interview, the staff will make a decision about your admission. - Housing arrangement
Upon acceptance, housing will be arranged in the Hockey House or a suitable alternative on the Watersley campus. - Official confirmation & contract
You'll receive an official confirmation and a contract outlining all terms and conditions. Both player and parents must sign the agreement.
Program Fee
The cost for participation in the 2025/2026 season is €1,260.00 per month, based on an 11-month program including housing.
As the program evolves and improves, this contribution may be adjusted annually. Any changes for the 2026/2027 season will be communicated well in advance.
Extra / Optional Services
Besides the full academy package, Watersley Sports & Talentpark offers several optional services at additional cost.
Private Housing (Studios)
In addition to the team houses, private studios are available on campus. Studios include a kitchen, bathroom, and combined living/sleeping space. Laundry facilities are shared.
Studios are unfurnished by default, but can be furnished for an additional €150/month.
Studio types & rates
Er zijn verschillende typen studio’s beschikbaar, die variëren in grootte en prijs:
- Smallest studio (30 m²): €660/month (incl. utilities, internet, gas, water, electricity).
- Largest Studio (82 m²): €1,255/month (incl. same services)).
If you choose a studio instead of team housing, the monthly fee increases based on the studio type.
Q&A
Nee. Op Watersley draait alles om samen sterker worden als team. Samen trainen, wonen, koken, leren en ontspannen helpt je groeien – niet alleen als speelster, maar ook als persoon. Vanuit onze ervaring weten we dat het lastig is om écht onderdeel van het team te zijn als je er niet woont. Daarom is het uitgangspunt dat iedereen op Watersley woont om samen te werken aan die grote droom van 2030.
Jazeker! We stemmen jouw ijstrainingen zo goed mogelijk af met het nationale programma. Onze trainingen zijn in de ochtend, zodat je nationale verplichtingen ’s avonds niet in de weg zitten. Samen met IJshockey Nederland zorgen we voor een passende oplossing.
Op basis van namen kunnen we deze vraag nog niet beantwoorden. Maar het gaat om coaches die uit vooraanstaande ijshockeylanden komen en gekwalificeerd zijn in het werken met AAA-junioren of NCAA en vergelijkbaar niveau. Zodra de namen bekend zijn publiceren we die uiteraard.
De meeste meiden zijn geboren tussen 2007 en 2012. Maar als jij jonger of ouder bent en je hebt het niveau en de motivatie, dan kijken we ook graag naar jou.
Er zijn twee opties: het ijshockeyhuis (geen huursubsidie mogelijk) of een eigen studio (daar is soms wél huursubsidie voor, als je 18 jaar of ouder bent).
Ja, we testen jouw skills. In het begin ligt de focus vooral op schaatsen en technische vaardigheden. Daarna werk je stap voor stap naar je rol in het team, posities, special teams en tactische systemen. Ook je potentie, motivatie en inzet tellen mee.
Je huiswerk regel je grotendeels zelf, maar we kunnen samen met je school een oplossing zoeken als je extra begeleiding nodig hebt. Ouderavonden zijn digitaal.
Ja, in de vakanties kun je gewoon naar huis.
Bezoek is altijd welkom. Het is ook mogelijk om samen te overnachten in SEPHS Hotel op het park (op eigen kosten). In het ijshockeyhuis zelf mogen alleen de speelsters overnachten.
Daar is goede begeleiding voor. Je wordt ondersteund door onze partner MODI via het 'Wheel of Life'-model, waarmee we alle belangrijke onderdelen van jouw welzijn goed in de gaten houden.
Ja. Je leert het stap voor stap, onder begeleiding van de diëtiste en huiscoaches. We maken er iets leerzaams en gezelligs van.
Dan is het zeer belangrijk om eigen pannen en schotels te gebruiken. We houden uiteraard rekening met jouw dieet.
Ja. Samen met onze diëtiste leer je wat je lichaam nodig heeft. Je doet kookworkshops/kooksessies en leert ook hoe je gezond kunt eten op de juiste momenten. Zo gebeurt het nu ook in de wielerteams.
Samen eten mág, maar het hoeft niet. Wel is het fijn én goedkoper. En je zorgt er samen met de anderen voor dat de keuken netjes blijft.
Ongeveer 6 kilometer.
Ongeveer 7 kilometer.
Aanmelden kan tot 12 mei 2025.
Nee, het is een goede mix. Soms intensief, soms technisch of tactisch. Alles om jou beter te maken zonder je te overbelasten.
Ja. We overleggen regelmatig met je school, en jij hebt elke week gesprekken met je coach en pedagoog. Tijdens toetsen en examens passen we het schema aan.
Er is geen vaste nachtwaker, maar er zijn wel camera’s en regelmatig beveiliging op het terrein.
Ja, er is een sportarts beschikbaar voor als je ergens last van hebt.
Dat kan altijd. Je zit nergens aan vast.