Hockey WA's Pathways programs are designed to provide a structured and progressive development pathway for aspiring hockey players across Western Australia. These programs cater to athletes at various stages of their journey, from foundational skill development to elite performance preparation, ensuring a clear route from junior talent identification to senior State and National representation.
Through these programs, Hockey WA remains committed to fostering the next generation of elite players, offering development opportunities across metropolitan and regional areas while ensuring a seamless transition from junior development to senior high-performance hockey.
LATEST PERTH THUNDERSTICKS ACADEMY NEWS
The Perth Thundersticks Academy is a premier talent development program designed to strengthen and expand the pool of athletes for Hockey WA's State team programs. By focusing on the crucial preadolescent years of athlete development, the Academy provides increased opportunities for young players to grow and excel.
This initiative delivers high-quality development environments for aspiring athletes, offering structured education and support in key talent development areas for players, parents, and emerging coaches. The program ensures that touchpoints are strategically integrated throughout the year, aligning with athlete commitments for a well-balanced development pathway.
Open to 12-17-year-old players across both metropolitan and regional areas, the Academy plays a vital role in Hockey WA's statewide development strategy. It provides comprehensive growth opportunities at every stage of the athlete pathway, fostering long-term success in the performance cycle of young hockey players.
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS ACADEMY HUBS
North: Troy Pickard Hockey Centre (home of the Whitford Hockey Club)
South 1: Lakelands Hockey & Sporting Facility (home of the Fremantle Cockburn Hockey Club)
South 2: Melville Toyota Stadium (home of the Melville City Hockey Club)
East: Dayton District Open Space (home of the Ellenbrook Falcons Hockey Club and Eastern Blades Hockey Club)
West: Hale Hockey Club (home of the Hale Hockey Club)
ESSENTIAL SKILLS CHALLENGE
LATEST EMERGING THUNDERSTICKS PROGRAM NEWS
The Emerging Thundersticks Program (ETP) is a high-performance initiative designed for advanced players in Hockey WA State Teams, providing an elite development pathway for Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 athletes. As a foundational step toward WAIS and senior state teams, ETP aligns with Hockey WA's long-term performance strategy, preparing young athletes for the next level of competition.
A key feature of the program is a structured series of mini-camps, held between Quarters 1, 2, and 3, aimed at enhancing athlete performance, behaviour, technical and tactical skills, physical capacity, and overall game intelligence. Inspired by Hockey Australia's junior development model, these two to five-day intensive camps minimise disruptions to club seasons and external commitments while maximising athlete growth.
In Quarter 4, the program transitions to a six to eight-week training phase, mirroring a National Championship preparation cycle to ensure athletes are primed for peak performance ahead of the KMSB Youth International Gryphon Cup.
Athlete selection is primarily drawn from State Team players in the Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 age groups. However, the Talent Scout Program ensures a flexible and proactive approach, allowing new talent to be identified and invited into the program at any stage.
Through the Emerging Thundersticks Program, Hockey WA is committed to fostering the next generation of elite players, creating a structured yet adaptable pathway to success at State, National, and International levels.