The Altona Hockey Club Junior Development Program
Developing Junior Hockey Players in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.
In 2024 the Altona Hockey Club has invested heavily in the junior development program to help all juniors develop as players and as people.
The program runs each Monday and is for juniors of all skill levels from 8 to 18 years old. The format of the sessions revolves around multiple small activities to learn the skills of hockey from basic through to advanced.
More details on the program below, no need to book – you can just turn up any Monday night, and speak to Junior Development Coordinator Naish McDonald who has been appointed to run the program in 2024.
Our high level, paid coaches ensure there is always a good ratio of coaches to children, enjoyment and skill development.
About the Program
All coaches have higher level hockey experience – Andrew, Jess, Heath, Naish and Jacob all representing either Victoria or Australia at either Indoor, Outdoor or Hockey 5’s, and Beth is an overseas player from the UK, playing a high level for multiple sides in the UK and the England Universities team.
The program itself is designed by our Premier League Coaches, Greg Drake and Danielle Schubach. Both have had success at all levels of hockey, starting as Altona juniors all the way through to International hockey and have designed the program for the maximum enjoyment of all kids, meaning lots of time with the hockey ball, no waiting around in queues and no long coach talks.
After his playing career, Greg has spent many years coaching Altona Premier League, before progressing to both State and then International level with stints as assistant coach of the Japanese and Canadian National teams, and Head Coach of the USA Women’s Hockey Team.
Danielle was named the Victorian Viper of the decade prior to the branding of the team being moved to HC Melbourne, and represented the Hockeyroos on multiple tours. She is now considered one of the best upcoming coaches in Victoria.
This club based junior development model that puts Altona Hockey Club at the forefront of junior coaching in Victoria.
The junior development model provides:
- Coordinated and structured skill development over multiple seasons at designated skill development training sessions for all junior players
- A higher ratio of coaches to players (typically 1:6) at each skill development training session
- Access to specialist coaches (including goal keeper coaches) for the teaching of skills
- Greater flexibility in training to mix and match skill levels, ages and genders to meet development needs of individuals
- Identification of talented players for additional ‘AHC fast track’ training
- Specific preparation for those trialing for representative teams
- Support for junior team coaches
- Better transition between juniors and seniors
- Coordinated management of training loads.
For junior players at the AHC, the implementation of this model means:
- Increased learning opportunities resulting in more efficient development
- Consistent access to advice from current senior players and highly credentialed coaches
- Fast paced, coordinated and fun training sessions
- Greater potential for inclusion in Hockey Victoria’s representative teams and the AHC’s Premier League men’s and women’s teams.
Find all of the latest AHC news
Read on below for all of the news from the Altona Hockey Club.
Mixed Results at Mentone
Altona's Premier League Men side travelled to Mentone, the biggest road trip in the competition, chock full of confidence after a brilliant start to the season. Heading to the "Sand Pit" with three wins under their belt, the Seagulls were raging hot favourites against...
Premier League Take Points at Home
A big home crowd was on hand to see Altona record victories in both Premier League matches on Saturday afternoon. The men side recorded its third win of the season, holding off a determined Southern United, while the young Womens squad beat Toorak-East Malvern in a...
Taking Premier League Hockey to Ballarat
The Altona Hockey Club is taking it's Round 3 Premier League home games against Greensborough Hockey Club to the Ballarat Hockey Centre on the 10th of May. This is a great initiative from our club to take Premier League Hockey to the country. We have many country...
A catch-up with our new recruits
By Chris Porter. Due to the European hockey season running at the opposite time of year to the Australian leagues, teams in the Southern hemisphere often pick up a few ‘internationals’ to help them throughout the year. Here at Altona we have been lucky to have had...
Men’s Premier League v Footscray Highlights
Check out some highlights of the Western Derby!
Premier League Women take down Powerhouse
A mid-week tussle at the State Netball Hockey Centre has seen Altona's Premier League Women take down a spirited Powerhouse/St. Kilda side 4-1. Altona got off to a flying start with Anisha Kidd taking advantage of a short corner breakdown to give the A's an early...
Premier League travel to Hawthorn
Altona's Mens Premier League side travelled to Hawthorn chock full of confidence after an opening round win against local rivals Footscray last week in the West End Riot. They could not have dreamed of a better start. A foray forward in the first thirty seconds saw...
Malaysia Tour Diary by Matt Guest
As a Canadian athlete you represent each and every citizen every time you wear the maple leaf on your sleeve. To represent Canada as a member of this team is an honour we all take great pride in. For 70 minutes we battle against athletes who represent a different...
Congratulations Andrew Scanlon
Andrew Scanlon has helped Australia qualify for the Youth Olympics, following the qualification tournament Port Vila, Vanuatu. Andrew scored his first goal in his first game for Australia, finishing with a hat-trick against Vanuatu and two against Fiji in big wins. In...
Registration Now Open for 2014
All members are required to register online for the 2014 season. The link to register is on the home page of the Altona Hockey Club web site or can be accessed by clicking here or on the link in the sidebar. If you played with Altona in 2013, click Login. You...
Steph Gracie Cup & Snake Pit Challenge
by Brian Fanning. Despite the searing heat, the YC/YS and OC sides took to the field and played some entertaining hockey on Saturday evening. As most expected, the Young Sheilas took out the first game 4-1 and the Young Crew took out the mens game 3-1. While the Old...
2013 Hockey Victoria Stakeholder Survey
Once again Hockey Victoria is seeking all members’ feedback about the 2013 season. Hockey Victoria invites its members to reflect on the past year and have a say in the future programs and processes for 2014. This year’s survey is linked to the new strategic plan...