Hockey Victoria Elite Programs
The pathways to regional representative and state representative opportunities can be confusing for those newer to hockey, or who have never been involved in hockey above club level before. Below information tries to demystify this but the information is regularly changing so we also recommend you familiarise yourself with the High Performance section of the HV website http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/
U13 age group
Those players who are U12 can nominate for the SSV (School Sports Victoria) U12 team, at https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/ . Nomination usually open in term 1 with trials in term 2 and the National Tournament in term 3. For all players aged 10, 11, 12 (U13) there is also a state U13 team run by Hockey Victoria. Nominations open at the start of the winter season, you must “nominate” to be viewed by selectors who come along to HV Academy, key tournaments and Elite days run by HV. A key tournament is the Junior State Championship called the “JSC” run during the July school holidays. To be considered for JSC players must nominate to be selected into their “zone” team. For Waverley this is Hotshots. Trials are normally held in May and the tournament is in the July school holidays. Following the JSC selected players are then invited to trial for the U13 state team. If you have not nominated to be considered for selection you will not be viewed by selectors and will not be considered. U13 selection occurs in late July and the National Tournament is held in September / October school holidays.
Click here for more information: http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/HIGH-PERFORMANCE/State-Team-Nominations
U15 age group
In the U15 age group there is a National tournament for U15s, as well as a development squad (usually tri state invitational tournament) for U14s. U15 selection occurs in late January / February and the National Tournament is held in the Easter school holidays. Players must nominate to be considered (late the year prior) and will be viewed at the HV Academy and during Elite Skill days over summer. Late January selected players are then invited to trial for the U15 state team. If you have not nominated to be considered for selection you will not be viewed by selectors and will not be considered. The U14 development squad is selected after the JSC and follows the same nomination and selection process as the U13 age group – see above. The U14 tournament is held in the September / October school holidays.
Click here for more information: https://hockeyvictoria.org.au/hockey-victoria-academy/general-information/
U16 SSV – There is also an U16 SSV team selected each year. Nominate at https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/ . Nomination usually open in term 1 with trials in term 2 and the National Tournament in term 3.
HV Academy
The Hockey Victoria Academy program is run by the High Performance Department and involves intensive skill based training, modified games, full field match play, fitness testing and a range of educational sessions. For players wanting to play at regional representative or state representative level the HV Academy is crucial. Entry into the Academy is automatic for players who make the U13 or U15 state team, all other players must attend “draft camp” during the September school holidays to be considered for selection for that summer period Academy.
Click here for more information: http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/HIGH-PERFORMANCE/Academies/General-Information
HV Elite days
The Elite Skill Development Days provide athletes, who have played at zone level or higher, with the opportunity to participate in intensive, specific skill training in small group environments. Groups will be coached by current State and Victorian Institute of Sport Coaches and Athletes, a number of whom are coaches in the Hockey Victoria Academy program. State team selectors view players who attend the Elite Skill days and performance at these days is taken into consideration for state selections.
Click here for more information: https://hockeyvictoria.org.au/elite-skill-development-day/
State Indoor
Each January there is also a National Tournament (2016, 2017 & 2018 this will be in Wollongong for all age groups from U13 to Open) for Indoor.
Selections for U13 and U15 teams usually occurs late September / early October just before the club indoor season starts.
Click here for more information: http://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/HIGH-PERFORMANCE/Indoor-State-Teams