Hockey development

Female Hockey Development Program 2026/26

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The SWSAS Female Hockey T1 Development program is delivered in partnership with Hockey NSW and the Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) network.

This program provides a high-performance Tier 1 development pathway for talented young hockey athletes, focusing on technical skills, strength and conditioning, athlete education, and personal growth. This program underpins the Hockey NSW Futures Pathway and develops emerging athletes to enable them to progress into the Hockey NSW Futures Pathway and to state and national pathways. 

Athletes receive targeted skill development and sport specific training support, preparation for high-performance and SSO Pathways; with the intent for the athletes to return with increased knowledge and skills for their representative and club association seasons.

The SWSAS program includes practical education in areas such as Strength and Conditioning, Athlete Profiling, Nutrition, Sports Psychology and Injury Prevention, Recover and Load Management; along with opportunities to represent SWSAS at events, inter-academy sessions and camps (where available)

Program Partners

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Academy Athletes Selected receive:

  • High-quality coaching within a high-performance squad environment and curriculum
  • Access to high-quality training facilities
  • Strength & Conditioning assessment and programming
  • Sports science testing and high‑performance training support
  • Access to education and athlete wellbeing support
  • Academy uniform (additional cost)
  • Access to Lumin (Academy athlete performance and management platform)
  • Community engagement and corporate partner exposure
  • Promotion through SWSAS media channels and Civic Receptions


Additional SWSAS Program benefits:

  • Participation in Your Local Club Academy Games and other Inter-Academy events
  • Identification and nomination for progression opportunities into Hockey NSW Futures talent programs
  • Opportunities to represent SWSAS at events (where available)

Program Eligibility Criteria

Athletes must:

  • Be a female aged 14-18 (u16 & U18 cohorts)
  • Reside in one of the following LGAs: Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly.
  • Be a registered member of a Hockey NSW Affiliated club/association within the South West Sydney region.
  • Be nominated by Hockey NSW or attend SWSAS T1 Trial
  • Be committed to progressing to higher representation within hockey.
  • Be committed and available to completing the entire program.
The athlete levy contributes towards the overall cost of delivering the Academy programs. Within our high performance programs are items including: 
 
  • Coaching*
  • Access to training facilities*
  • Strength & Conditioning assessments and programming*
  • Sports science testing*
  • Access to Academy Games* (relevant sports/age groups only)
  • Insurance
* Please note, Items marked with an Asterix are components supported through NSW Government grant funding. The grant contribution from the NSW government is limited to costs and activities identified in the approved Project Plan. The remaining portion of the athlete levy contributes towards costs associated with delivering and administering the Academy that are not covered by the NSW Government grant funding.

 

An athlete scholarship levy will apply, covering the above listed program benefits and more. Uniform costs are additional, with sport-specific and SWSAS items purchased through the official supplier. Additional event and camp costs may apply.

Selection Timeline

  • Nominations Open: 2 October 2026
  • Nominations Close: 16 October 2026
  • Trials and/or Selection Period: Tentative – 18 October 2026

Program Delivery Period

October 2026 – April 2027

Key Events (Indicative)

  • Your Local Club Academy Games: 9th-11th April, 2027 (Tamworth)
  • U16 Super Camp: Dec 2026 (Bathurst TBC)
  • U16 National Titles: April 2027
  • U18 Super Camp: April 2027 (Newcastle TBC)
  • U18 National Titles: July 2027
  • U18 Academy Challenge: TBC