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.
HEROES OF HOCKEY: Volunteer Recognition Program
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women as leaders in sport awards
As part of the Women & Girls project, Hockey Victoria would like to reward and recognise females that have contributed substantially to the growth and development of hockey in Victoria. As such, three awards will be presented to three amazing women at Hockey...
HV womens breakfast
On Friday 24th August Hockey Victoria is having its first Women & Girls Breakfast. The theme of the breakfast is “Women & Girls as Leaders in our Community”. Kate Roffey is our guest speaker and is a very experienced leader in sport and government. She has...
a note to all members and supporters
One of the greatest features of our club is the support that all of our teams, men’s, women’s and juniors alike, receive from our members and spectators. However, there have been a few instances recently where the support we are famous for has crossed the line and...
Women record narrow loss to Mentone
Altona's Womens State League One side were gallant in a 2-1 loss to second placed Mentone. Coming off an 11-0 win, stopping Mentone's goal scoring powers was the obvious focus of Coach Marc Richardson. The Altona defence was brilliant early, led by young goal keeper...
Altona Salvage Draw at Home
After a horror few weeks, Altona Hockey Club's State League One side earned a point from their clash with Mentone on Saturday at home. Given their lowly ladder position, Mentone went into the match as outsiders, but Altona were not taking them lightly, given their...
AHC Movie Night
Join us for a night of fun at the Sun Theatre on the 22nd of July.
Kieran ‘Little Symo’ Symons State League 1 debut
Kieran 'Little Symo' Symons State League 1 debut June 21, 2012Kieran "Symo" Symons, a key junior represenative player for Altona for many years, makes his State League 1 (SL1) debut on Saturday. For those that aren't aware, Kieran's father, Peter, was a SL1 champion...
Seagulls mid-season slump continues
After receiving a lesson two weeks ago at Doncaster, Altona's State League One Men's mid season form slump continued, with a 4-1 loss to Hawthorn at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday. Altona was again jumped in the first half, conceding three goals as the sharp...
Altona women score gutsy draw
Altona's State League One women recovered from a two goal deficit to record a gutsy 2-2 draw with ladder leader Greensborough on Saturday. In Co-Captain Steph Sarantis' 100th State League One appearance, the A's second half come back was very impressive against a...
An Interview with Steph Sarantis
This weekend our Women's State League 1 co-captain, Stephanie Sarantis, become the first woman to play 100 State League 1 games for Altona. Dan Schubach catches up with her to go through some memorable moments from her first 99 games.
Seagulls fall in crucial game
Mens State League 1 Altona had a horror start against Doncaster on Saturday, conceding three goals in the first 15 minutes, which effectively put the contest out of their reach. Altona looked out of sorts, with basic skill errors letting the Seagulls down. Doncaster,...