HOCKEY PROGRAM

Our aim is to develop young players in the South-West region and teach skills, strategies, and game sense to maximise enjoyment of the hockey experience and prepare the players for senior hockey and/or participation in representative teams.

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The initial program was incredibly promising, with talent from across the region training fortnightly across the Summer season at Ballarat, Warrnambool, and Hamilton. 18 athletes were selected for the program, which emphasised development of technical skills, decision making and strategies to manipulate the opponent to create more manageable situations on the field.

Over the duration of the program the coaching staff saw an encouraging improvement across the group in all areas. The training sessions were tough, with the group often battling the heat and learning new concepts under fatigue and in a competitive environment. 

We were lucky to have assistant coaches Cale Rout (Australian Country Men’s Hockey Team rep), and sportDS specialists Holly Stewart (ex-Canadian junior international) and Tom Drury (Developing Goalkeeper Coach from TEM Hockey Club in Melbourne). A big thank you to these coaches for sharing their expertise with our squad.

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We are eagerly awaiting the second year of our program and, after Covid-19 cancelled the winter hockey season, we know the group will be raring to go and determined to build on the initial foundations completed in our first year.

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Head Coach

Jesse McCartney