The Geelong Regional Hockey Academy ran for the 2nd year in October 2024. Over 90 players from regional Victoria took part over 3 Sunday mornings for a total of 9 hours. Age groups ranged from under 12 to under 17. Players came from Corangamite (14), Ballarat (23), Geelong (45), South West Hockey (Warnambool) (8) and Wimmera (5). They were all given an Academy t shirt in GHA colours, designed by Charlotte Armstead, which they loved.
Facilitators included: Harry Dolenc (Altona), Jack Chadwick (West Vic), Liam Kerr-Nelson (Altona), Kelsey Ratcliffe (Geelong), Sophie Collings (Geelong), Andrew Scanlon (HCM), Health MacDonald (Altona), Mattie Barnett (Altona), Josh D’Arcy (Footscray), Kahlua Smart (Geelong), Brayden Caldow (Geelong), Benjamin Champion (Geelong), Josh Sly (West Vic), James Thompson (Geelong), Nath McBain (Geelong), Molly Klix (Altona), Jye Walters (Footscray), Em Dhand (Geelong, Reece Shand (Geelong), Kade Leigh (HCM), Ewan Wightman (Geelong) and Tammy Hansford (Geelong).
The players enjoyed learning from a talented group of coaches and were thrilled to see some of the them (Andrew and Kade) on TV one day playing for HCM and then coaching them the next day at Stead Park. The coaches enjoyed working with all the young and enthusiastic players. The program included advanced skills such as overheads or drag flicks, whilst also stressing the importance of basic skills along with footwork and ball control. We also included hints and tips as to what to expect at trials, so we hope that lots of these young players go to Melbourne to attend HV trials for state teams. In 2023 we were pleased to be able to offer 4 players who were selected in HV state teams, a small financial gift to help with the high costs of being in a state team.
Thank you to all the coaches, along with many parents who helped out shifting goals or collecting balls during the sessions. Thanks also to Chris Armstead, Tammy Hansford, Em Shand and Graeme Dent for assisting with logistics or serving in the canteen at each session.
Keep watching the Academy Facebook page as we will be posting more information for you in the coming weeks: warm up activities, nutrition hints and QR codes to more hockey skills and drills.
Gillian Armstead (organizer)
