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.
Premier League has nightmare at Footscray
Altona Hockey Club had a nightmare Saturday against local rival, Footscray, losing both Premier League matches convincingly. A cold, wet and windy day saw the Men lose 3-0 in a spiteful encounter, while the Women were smashed early, to lose 9-2 to a much more...
Altona Celebrates Fair Go, Sport! Round
Last weekend we celebrated Fair Go, Sport! Round when our Premier League women and men competed against Doncaster. The day was a final celebration following a build up of activity which included a club video feat. Cr Tony Briffa and David Burns as well as a poster...
Altona take on Doncaster for Fair Go, Sport! Round
Fair Go round turned out to be a tough day for the Seagulls on Saturday at their Grant Reserve home ground. A round to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness in sport, which saw the CEO of Hockey Victoria and representatives from Fair Go Victoria in attendance, saw a...
Premier League take on Greensborough at home
Women's Premier League face tough task Altona faced the daunting task of coming up against a tough and experienced Greensborough side in the first match of Hockey Victoria's double header weekend. As expected Greensborough started strong in the first half turning...
2013 U18 tournament updates
We have received updates from some of our AHC representatives at the U18 national tournaments on how they are going so far. Josh Horton and Andrew Scanlon are currently playing with the U18 men, while Jess Brennan is playing, and Marc Richardson coaching the U18...
Wildcats reports: AHC at the JSC
There was a huge Altona representation at the recent Junior State championships, read the reports below to see how they went; U13 Girls With 4 strong Altona players and 2 excellent Altona coaches, the under 13 girls Western Wildcats were always going to be a force to...
Altona Hockey Club Car Park Redevelopment
Work has commenced on extending and resurfacing the car park at the Altona Hockey Club. It is expected that this work will continue through to the end of August. As such you need to be aware of alternative parking arrangements during this time. Alternative car parking...
Premier League take on Essendon in battle of the west
The Altona Premier League sides ventured to Essendon this weekend, our women were first up, and faced a tough task against perennial the finalists. It was a tough game from the outside with nothing going right for the A's, going down early and entering the half-time...
Premier League plays out tough games against MCC
Altona's Premier League sides travelled to South Yarra on Sunday to play MCC in two must win matches. The womens side, sat just one ladder position below their opposition, and were still looking for their second win of the season, in a desperate bid to avoid...
Premier League travel out to Waverley for mixed results
Altona's Mens Premier League side upset cross town rival Waverley in a sensational match on Saturday. While Waverley are mid-table this season, they have an extremely potent forward line and are always a chance to score heavily. Altona's defence, led by goal keeper...
Car Park Upgrade
Council have advised that work on our car park will commence this week and the work is expected to be completed by late August 2013. Council appreciates that this work will require alternative access to our facilities and this will be managed as part of the work being...
Premier League men and women fight out tough games with TEM
Altona's Mens Premier League side travelled to Hawthorn to play Toorak-East Malvern (TEM) on Saturday afternoon. Both sides sat mid-table, in 8th and 9th respectively, so a close match was expected. Both sides also have strong penalty corner batteries, with Altona's...