• 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 Futures Program, NSW State Squads and/or Teams, and future NSW and/or National selection. 

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.

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.

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. And include training in the NSW Style of Play along with technical and tactical skill development. The Academy Hockey program also services local athletes from within the Hockey NSW Futures program, with athletes able to join together for education, strength and conditioning program, and skill development opportunities. 

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.

• Athletes must be between 16 and 18 years of age as of 31 December 2024. 
  • ie born 2006 - 2008
• Athletes aged 14 and 15 years of age as of 31 December 2024 (ie born 2009 - 2010) are also eligible for selection and participation within the training and education components of the program. 
• 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.

In addition;

• Athletes should be competing within either the U16 or U18 Representative division. 
• Athletes who have been selected, or are selected into the Hockey NSW Futures Program are eligible to participate within parts of the SWSAS Academy Program, subject to the approval of Hockey NSW. 
• Approval will be subject to the training load and commitments for the Hockey NSW Futures program, however will most likely include inclusion into the SWSAS Academy sports education, strength and conditioning, sport science testing and athlete health and wellbeing programs. 

What to Expect:

The Hockey squad is selected based on the athletes performance at an open trial.

The Hockey NSW Futures Program is selected by Hockey NSW, Further information on the Hockey NSW selection process can be found here:  https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/performance/pathway-to-2032/

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.

Selection Process:

• Athletes must nominate, and attend the trial date/s as listed.
• Athletes must attend all trials. If an athlete is unable to attend a trial they must provide a reason in writing, prior to that trial to gain an exemption. 
• The Academy may select up to 16 Male and 16 Female athletes from the 16-18yr age group.
• The Academy will select a squad, not a team. As such, there is no requirement to select based on filling certain playing positions.
• Final selections, number of athletes and squad composition will be made dependant on the talent available during the assessment period.  
• Successful athletes will be advised after the final trial, and will need to attend an Induction session held in early November. 

• Athletes pre-selected in or by the Hockey NSW Futures Program are not required to attend the trials, and may be selected in addition to the Academy Hockey program squad numbers. The addition and subsequent inclusion of these athletes within the Hockey program may occur after the trial and subject to the discretion of Hockey NSW. 

• An Athlete Scholarship levy of $400 inclusive of GST, will apply to all successful athletes. 
• Athletes pre-selected into the Hockey NSW Futures program who are identified by Hockey NSW are not required to pay the Academy Athlete Scholarship Levy, as this cost is included in participation costs of the Hockey NSW Futures Program. Additional fees/levies as detailed below may still apply.

• The Athlete Scholarship levy assists in offsetting the program costs of;
  • Annual Athlete Membership including athlete uniform consisting of Academy Polo Shirt, Walkout Shorts and Gym T-shirt, Water Bottle, Athlete Journal and Annual Awards Dinner admission. 
  • Training and Development including training venue hire, sports equipment, skill development programming, and guest / coaching costs.
  • Education and Support Services including online access to programs / XPS network, targeted sports education lectures and workshops with guest presenters, sport specific strength and conditioning program with an Academy S&C partner facility, sport science testing, and access to athlete wellbeing and support service network providers.

Additional Fees / Levies

Uniform Costs

• Additional competition uniform costs exist, specific to sport requirements, which athletes will need to purchase through the online store from the official uniform supplier, Aceit. The required items will be identified at the sport program induction. 
• Athletes may purchase additional Academy items, that includes Hoodie, Socks, Towel, Sports Bag, Backpacks, and Active Wear. 
• Athletes who are NEW to the Academy will be provided a tracksuit in their first year only. Athletes entering their third year or greater will be offered the purchase of a new tracksuit at half-price. 

Camps, Tours and Tournaments

• Camps, Tours and Tournaments 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. These are generally costed at $100-$150 per day and include transport, accommodation and the majority of meal costs, as well as any entry fees associated with tournaments or performance elements of the camp / tour. 
• Eligible athletes who are selected to represent the Academy at the Regional Academy Games in Wagga Wagga in April 2024 will be required to pay a Games levy of between $300 and $450 (subject to sport requirements), which will be invoiced separately to the above Athlete Scholarship Levy.
• Tournaments held locally (where the Academy does not provide Accommodation) may attract a nominal fee of between $10 and $50 depending on the sport requirements, and are used to assist in covering the tournament entry, venue hire and any transport costs.

All Athlete levies must be paid in full within 30 days of the invoiced date, or the scholarship offer will be automatically withdrawn; unless financial hardship or payment plan arrangements have been made with the CEO.

• The Academy will conduct regular on-field training sessions that will include individual and squad based fundamental skill development training between November 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 will take place between April and July each year, with the program 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. 

• Selected athletes will be required to undertake a strength and conditioning program, that may include 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 Wagga Wagga, in April 2024. The Academy may prioritise U18 players within this team, however U16 athletes may also be selected subject to performance and ability. Should numbers not be sufficient to field a team, the Academy will explore options to combine with athletes of fellow Regional Academies to form a composite team. 

• 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 XPS Network online communication tool. 

2023-2024 Hockey Coaching Staff

Will be released following the coach nomination process. 

The 2023-2024 Hockey Squad will be released following the selection process.