South West Sydney Academy of Sport is set to play a crucial role in delivering Hockey NSW’s pathway programs for U16 and U18 athletes across the State.
It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hockey NSW and Regional Academies of Sport Incorporated (RASi).
Under this agreement, regional academies will become the primary delivery network for Hockey NSW pathway programs.
The partnership aims to nurture and develop talent, providing aspiring hockey players with the training, support and resources needed to advance to state-level teams and compete on national platforms.
The program will specifically target U16 and U18 age levels, (athletes born between 2007 and 2010) with regional academies hosting training and development sessions that align with Hockey NSW’s pathways.
A high-performance environment will be provided to refine their skills. This will include quality coaching, technical training and performance support services, including nutrition and psychology education.
“We are excited to partner with Hockey NSW to deliver a program that will open doors for young athletes in regional areas,’’ says RASi chairperson Brett O’Farrell.
“Our goal is to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to progress through the hockey ranks.’’
Hockey NSW CEO Matthew Bulkeley said his association were thrilled to extend the partnership with RASi as a key part of a new strategic direction.
“This partnership will allow Hockey NSW’s pathway program to continue to provide opportunities to U16 and U18 hockey players within the footprint of each regional academy of sport,’’ he said.
“This is a very important strategic directive of Hockey NSW’s performance pillar, and we are excited to continue working together with RASi to achieve this.’’
South West Sydney Academy of Sport CEO Gerry Knights welcomed the move.
“Having had hockey as a key part of our academy family supporting hockey athletes from our local region since 1997, and with a long list of former academy athletes who have not just represented NSW, but Australia at Commonwealth and Olympic Games levels, we are looking forward to continuing our local region’s athletes’ journey through this enhanced partnership,’’ Knights said.
Nominations for both athletes and coaching staff to be a part of the 2024-2025 South West Sydney Academy of Sport hockey program are open ahead of a selection trial and program commencement later in 2024.
For more information head to the Academy’s website – www.swsas.org.au/hockey
