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.
Altona Bowling Club Partnership
Bowled over by sponsorship The Altona Bowling Club has now come on board on as a sponsor of the Altona Hockey Club. The sponsorship provides a great benefit to the hockey club and our members. The club will allocate the sponsorship funds directly to facility...
Seagulls Overrun at the Snakepit
Altona has relinquished a 1-0 half-time lead to go down 5-1 to Powerhouse-St. Kilda in the first game of the Premier League season. The A's started well, controlling possession for the first few minutes before the first half settled down to an even affair. Powerhouse...
A’s off to Flying Start
Altona’s Womens Premier League side had their best start to a season in recent years on the weekend, overcoming Mentone 3-1 in front of a great crowd J.K. Grant Reserve. The game didn’t go all the Seagulls way with Mentone taking a lead 20 minutes into the first half,...
2016 Juniors News & Important Dates
NO JUNIOR TRAINING DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Training resumes Monday 11th of April Junior Skills Development Sessions Commence Monday 11th of April 5:00-6:00pm - U/10's & U/12(Option) 6:15-7:15pm - U12(Option), U/14 & U16 PRACTICE MATCHES & BBQ Friday 22nd...
Introduction of League Entry Criteria
On Wednesday, 2nd of December 2015, the HV Board approved the League Entry Criteria to be implemented from season 2017. I am writing to the club members to advise of this new approach to Premier League and Vic League competitions from the 2016 season. Three years ago...
PRESENTING…the 2015 AHC Fundraising Gala
The Altona Hockey Club Fundraising Gala is back in 2015! We have a night full of entertainment, ranging from a World Cup playing Matilda, Western Bulldogs stars (including the All-Australian captain) to an international comedian. Join us at the Substation in Newport...
O45’s Bounce Back with Big Win
The A's Over 45s bounced back to a big score on Monday night with a 7-0 scoreline against Powerhouse at Albert Park in the rain. Without 2 of our sharpshooters (i.e. David Stiles hanging out with the younger folk in the Over 35s team and Peter Symons unavailable), we...
Women’s Premier League take down TEM
Round 8 saw the A girls match up against an always competitive foe T.E.M. Looking for that so far elusive home game win, the girls went out ready to give everything they had for the Snakepit crowd. The play was even for the first 15 minutes with both teams looking to...
Altona take down MCC in Tuesday night thriller
by Phoebe Rothfield Altona’s Premier League girls were coming off a strong win against Footscray when they faced MCC on a cold and wet Tuesday night at the SNHC. MCC were coming off a surprising loss to TEM during their weekend game and had a day less to recover for...
Altona girls take the points in the Western derby
by Phoebe Rothfield With one win to its name this season, the Women’s Premier League side were hoping to take the three points on the weekend against an up-and-down Footscray. Footscray won their first three games of the season before falling to their next three...
Match Report – Over 45’s vs Essendon
Another win this week, albeit a hard fought one. While we locked away a brilliant goal early thanks to Caroline Brooker, half time scoreline was 1 – 1, and we were trying to find a way to cut through a dogged Essendon defence. PB’s half-time address again paid...
Mixed Results against Essendon
Altona men’s Premier League side powered to a 4-1 win over a misfiring Essendon, whilst the women’s side fell short to last year’s runners-up Essendon Ladies in a tight contest. The Altona men continued their winning streak courtesy of four separate goal scorers to...