Local Metro South West Hockey Association players are over the moon they have been able to train with the Hockey NSW accelerated athlete program (AAP).
This opportunity has been provided by Hockey NSW to athletes who currently hold a South West Sydney Academy of Sport scholarship and are aged between 16 and 18 years.
These sessions provide local athletes with an assessment of their personal skill development level – as well as an opportunity to show NSW AAP coaching and support staff their individual talents.
“I’d like to acknowledge the support provided by Hockey NSW pathway manager Richard Willis, under the leadership of CEO David Thompson,’’ said South West Sydney Academy of Sport executive director Gerry Knights.
“Hockey NSW recognises the benefits of a strong local pathway to representative hockey and is doing all in its power to ensure that our region is able to match the opportunities provided by other larger NSW regional academy programs,’’ Mr Knights said.
South West Sydney Academy of Sport athletes Mitchell Stevens and Daniel Noble training at the NSW Hockey Accelerated Athlete Program with coaches Andrew van Pelt and Alan Charlton at Sydney University hockey complex, Lidcombe.
As a long term judge of hockey talent himself, Knights said “one or two of this year’s athletes are really knocking on the door of AAP selection’’.
“Training with the NSW AAP squad and participating in the Your Local Club’ Academy Games in April, will really put them in the front of AAP selectors,’’ he said.
“It all comes down to commitment and how much they really want it.’’
The South West Sydney Academy of Sport has also announced that its Club Menangle sponsored 2019-2020 program incoming head coaches are Camden’s junior Olympic Games representative Nathanael Stewart, pictured, and The Oaks’ Australian indoor hockey representative Nichole King.
King is also Hockey NSW’s regional coaching coordinator.
“These highly respected young local coaches are also past academy athletes and are keen to provide our region’s up and coming players the best training development opportunities possible,’’ Mr Knights said.
“Selections will commence in September for both boys and girls.’’
Mr Knights pointed out that local hockey is also well served when it comes to facilities such as Metro South West Hockey Association complex in Narellan.
“This is an amazing facility, where the local association is currently installing its third water base field,’’ he said.
“Water base fields cost around $1 million each, so local hockey should be proud of its association and the support provided by Hockey NSW and the NSW Government.’’
For more information regarding academy hockey, or any of its 14 sports programs, contact Gerry Knights by phone on 4627 7622, 0407 415 847, email gerry.knights@swsas.org.au or visit www.swsas.org.au
2019 SWSAS hockey program athlete Mitchell Stevens taking full advantage of training in the Hockey NSW Accelerated Athlete Program.
