Program Summary

Program Season: October - April
Age Group: U16-U18
Gender: Male and Female

Current Program Status:
Finalising Selections

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport implements high performance programs for talented young athletes from South West Sydney across a number of sports. The Academy implements a Hockey program in association with the local associations, Regional Academies of Sport, and Hockey NSW.

The program is provided by high performance coaching staff.

This program is targeted for athletes identified by Hockey NSW who ahve been talent identified through various State Junior Pathway programs and evens. Athletes are identified by Hockey NSW whilst participating within local representative teams, and/or the Sydney Junior League competition, and aiming for selection within the Hockey NSW State Squads.

In addition, the Academy may consider a development squad of athletes, through an open trial process conducted in order to support local Junior Representative Athletes aiming for selection within the Hockey NSW Pathway system.

Program Objectives

Create an environment where athletes can develop the necessary tactical, technical, physiological and psychological skill competencies to aid progression through their sports Athlete high Performance Pathway.

Develop athletes to be competitive, with a fundamentally sound base.

Provide fundamental individual and squad skill development sessions for athletes during representative off-season programs, as a part of the Hockey NSW High Performance Pathway program. 

Compliment athletes local Representative team training and encourage athletes to be leaders within those teams.

Prepare athletes for NSW High Performance trials and pathways, such as the Hockey NSW U16 and U18 State Teams, and future NSW and/or National selection. 

Athlete Benefits

The South West Sydney Academy of Sport Hockey program is closely aligned to the Hockey NSW high performance curriculum, and operates in conjunction with fellow Regional Academy of Sport Hockey programs, and as such is designed to introduce athletes to the State and National high performance pathway.

The program provides access to pathway performance coaching, analysis of individual skill and development within a squad structure, sports science testing, and access to high performance strength and conditioning programs.

The program includes training in the NSW Style of Play along with technical and tactical skill development.

The training program will include fundamental and pathway skill development and education, specific to Hockey.

The Strength and Conditioning program will include the Academy testing battery and strength and conditioning curriculum, as well as include the following sport-specific training elements, with relevant tests for each.

Key performance opportunities will be selected to best suit the current development level of athletes, and may include events scheduled in conjunction with other NSW Regional Academies of Sport and/or camp-like training environments.

A large range of athlete appropriate education workshops such as sport psychology, nutrition, drugs in sport awareness, public speaking, resilience, media training, sports medicine and injury prevention are also undertaken as a part of the regular training program.

Training and Performance Opportunities

• The Academy will conduct regular on-field training sessions that will include individual and squad based fundamental skill development training between October and April. 

• A focus on team dynamics and tactical skill development will take place towards the latter part of the program and in the lead up to the Regional Academy Games.

• Additional Academy education sessions and off-field development may take place following the conclusion of the "program year", with the program formally concluding at the Annual Athlete Graduation and Sport Awards Dinner, generally held in late July.

• Regular training sessions will be aligned to avoid clashes with the representative training and competition schedules of those clubs within the South West Sydney Academy of Sport catchment area, as much as possible, noting there may be an overlay and clash with athletes undertaking NSW Indoor Hockey Commitments.

• Athletes will be required to undertake a strength and conditioning program, including access to a supervised gym program throughout the period.

• Subject to the athletes commitment to the Academy, training performance and depth of squad, the Academy will send one (1) male and one (1) female team to compete in the ClubsNSW 'Your Local Club' Regional Academy Games Hockey competition to be held in Tamworth, in April 2026. 

• The Academy may send age and gender appropriate team's to other tournaments, or conduct Development Camps/Challenges with other Regional Academy or high performance programs and invited teams through the program period.

• Training sessions will take place at either the Metro South West Hockey (Narellan) or Moorebank Liverpool Hockey Complex. A full training and performance schedule will be provided to successful athletes through the Athete Management System - Lumin. 

Squad and Support Staff

2025-2026 Club Menangle Hockey Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Andrew Parker
Assistant Coach: Michelle Lewthwaite
Assistant Coach: James Bell
Assistant Coach: Matthew Wilson
Squad Manager: Lisa Clinch

Athlete Eligibility

• Athletes must be eligible to compete in the Hockey NSW U16 / U18 State Team in 2026.
  • (ie Born 2008 - 2011 - For clarification U16 athletes may be turning 16 in the year following selection - This equates to traditional sport terminology of 16&U)
• Athletes must be a registered member of Hockey NSW
• Athletes must reside in, or attend school, or compete for a HNSW affiliated association within the Academy area of Campbelltown, Camden, Liverpool or Wollondilly local Government areas.

Selection Process

What to Expect:

The Hockey squad is selected by Invitation from Hockey NSW based on the athletes performance at identified talent identification events, such as state trials, previous State pathway program performance, and state championships. These athletes will be advised of their selection by Hockey NSW and are then required to make contact with the Academy.

Subject to the number of athletes selected by Hockey NSW, the Academy may select an additional group of athletes through an open trial process.

The Academy Hockey program trial will feature a number of skill and drill components, followed by a series of short-sided or modified match-play scenario to assess the athletes skill and potential.

Elements of sport science testing and/or fitness assessment may be conducted as a part of the trial.

One or more trials may be conducted.

Athletes identified for inclusion through the Hockey NSW Talent Identification process may not be required to attend any trial process.

Subject to the numbers of athletes selected throughout the invitation and trials process, the Academy will seek to form a team/s to participate in the Regional Academy Games.

This shall however not be the primary intent of the Hockey program.

Athlete Scholarship Levy

• An Athlete Scholarship levy will apply to all successful athletes. 
• This levy assists in offsetting the program costs including,
  • Annual Athlete Membership 
  • Training and Development including training venue hire, sports equipment, skill development programming, and guest / coaching costs.
  • Strength and Conditioning Programming, Education and Support Services including online access to AMS program Lumin, targeted sports education lectures and workshops with guest presenters, sport specific strength and conditioning program with an Academy Strength and Conditioning partner facility, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

Uniform Costs

• All uniform purchases are to be made via the Academy's uniform supplier ACEIT, utilising their online store. 
• New athletes will be required to purchase uniform consisting of at minimum, Athlete Polo Shirt, Walkout Shorts and Gym T-shirt. 
• Additional competition uniform costs may exist, specific to sport requirements. The required items will be identified at the sport program induction and may include items listed below. 
• Athletes may purchase additional Academy items, that includes Tracksuit, Hoodie, Socks, Towel, Sports Bag, Backpacks, and Active Wear. 

Camps, Tours and Tournaments

• Camps, Tours and Tournaments, including the Regional Academy Games, form an important part of each sport program structure. The costs of these events, as with the overall sport program, are heavily subsidised by the Academy and its partners.
• Camp / Tour costs may be applied for certain activities throughout the program year and will be communicated well ahead of the event.