Experienced coaching cohort to lead 15s at National Championships

WA’s next generation of hockey stars will be guided by high-profile and experienced coaches for the upcoming Hockey Australia Under-15s National Championships, with former State and National representatives appointed to lead each cohort.

Former Hockeyroo and five-time Australian Hockey League champion Shayni Nelson will take the reins of the under-15s gold girls team, who will be looking to go one better after a silver medal in 2022.

Nelson, who played her 400^th Premier League game for UWA last season, is seen as the ideal candidate to lead not only the junior athletes, but also provide mentoring for Assistant Coach Sophie Fidoe, who progresses to the under-15s after being involved with the under-13s program last year.

Claire Goss has been appointed Head Coach of the under-15s black girls team, a role she steps into having been Assistant Coach for the 2019 and 2021 tournaments. Goss will be assisted by 28-year-old Tim Moore-Crouch, with Hockey WA’s ongoing development of young coaches a key focus.

The under-15s gold boys will once again be led by former national under-age representative and Australian Hockey League champion Joel Bell. Bell will be assisted by another former national under-age representative in Adrian Daley, with the duo entering their third consecutive year with the under-15s program after a fourth placing in 2021 and a silver medal in 2022.

With previous experience in similar-aged State team, Donna McKeown has been appointed Head Coach of the Under-15s Black boys. McKeown has a long history of playing and coaching in the Rockingham and Peel regions and steps into the role after being an assistant in 2022.

21-year-old Jamie Dale makes the switch over to the boys black team as McKeown’s assistant, having previously been an Assistant Coach to Lindsey Wright with the under-15s girls black team.

Hockey WA Performance Lead Tim Geers said the appointments brought continuity to the state team program and reflected Hockey WA’s strategic focus on opportunities for coach development.

“It’s fantastic for our under-15s gold teams to be led by such well-respected and experienced figures such as Joel and Shayni,” Geers said.

“Very few people have a hockey CV as impressive as Shayni’s and her passion for developing the state’s junior athletes is evident.

“Joel has contributed an enormous amount to this cohort for the past two years and has done an outstanding job; for him and Adrian to continue on for a third straight year is a great result for all.”

Meanwhile, Geers said the appointments of McKeown and Goss was a great reward for previous efforts as Assistant Coaches.

“Both Donna and Claire have been involved in our state team program over several years and are absolutely worthy of the opportunity to Head Coach our black teams,” Geers said.

“Not only do they possess the necessary experience required, but they are both terrific people and are excited about mentoring some of our younger coaches coming through our pathway.

“Investing in the likes of Sophie, Jamie and Tim continues our commitment to developing coaches and presents them with opportunities that will challenge their development under the guidance of experienced senior coaches.”

The Hockey Australia Under-15s National Championships will be held in Darwin from 15-21 April.