Local Academy hockey players over the moon to be part of elite training group

Written on the 1 April 2019 by South West Voice

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.

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.