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: Coming soon
ACADEMY SESSION PLANS
Skill Videos: Coming soon
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.
LATEST COACHING & OFFICIATING NEWS
Hockey WA is committed to developing coaches at all levels, from grassroots to high performance by providing education, resources, and pathways to support coaches in building their skills and enhancing player development.
With access to structured coach education frameworks, skills matrices, tactical and technical guides, and high-performance insights, coaches can refine their approach and stay aligned with national best practices.
Whether you're a new coach or advancing to higher levels, Hockey WA provides the tools and support to help you succeed in shaping the next generation of players.
For more information on how to become accredited as a coach and enrol in HockeyEd courses, visit the Coach page on our website.
HOCKEY WA COACH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Explore the Coach Development Framework, designed to support coaches at all levels in delivering high-quality training and player development.
This framework includes:
✅ Essential Skills Focus Areas – Key coaching principles to develop well-rounded athletes.
✅ Club & School Coach Block Programs – Structured plans to guide training throughout the season.
✅ Skills Matrix – A roadmap outlining what skills players should learn at each stage of their development.
✅ Sample Skills Assessment Sheets – Tools to assist in evaluating players during club trials.
Whether you're a new or experienced coach, this framework provides valuable resources to enhance coaching effectiveness and player growth.
HOCKEY AUSTRALIA JUNIOR HIGH PERFORMANCE RESOURCES
Gain insights from Hockey Australia’s Junior High Performance resources, featuring expert guidance from Lead Coaches Mark Hager and Mark Knowles.
This content includes:
🏑 National U15 Pathways & Focus Presentation (April 2023) – Key insights into junior player development.
📖 National Tactical & Technical Guide (2023) – Strategies and skills for high-performance hockey.
💪 Physical Development Frameworks – Training protocols used by the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.
📊 Testing Protocols – Benchmarking tools to track athletic progress.
Ideal for coaches and athletes aiming to understand and implement elite-level training principles.