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.
AHC in your Veins
AHC in your DNA - Part 1. For the last 2 seasons former member Bill Moffett has provided long distance support to junior members of our club. Bill now lives overseas but got in contact with the club with the offer to support a junior player. On a recent trip home to...
Match Report – Over 45s Masters
By Peter Kennedy. Great to post another win on Monday night, this time a 5 – 0 result over Powerhouse. Unlike Round 2, Powerhouse fielded a full team this time.David Burns and David Stiles started the game warmed up and ready to go, having filled in for the more...
Match Report – Under 14A Shield Altona HC v Hawthorn HC
By Cooper Burns & Nicholas Myyrylainen. On the 22nd of May, the under 14A shield team had arrived at their first game at the snake pit for Altona. The under 14s had their usual team talk, talking about the game, searching for the win we needed. It wasn’t long...
Match Report – U16A vs KEW
By Bailey Willet. First half: Surprisingly last week’s game for 16a’s was quite atrocious. Goldie wasn’t there and we just couldn’t find our momentum. Zaige Porra had a ripper game, Kiara Porra quoted “Zaige had a great game! I am so proud of him. Mitchy Burns,Beama...
Seagal’s Section – WPL vs KEW
by Phoebe Rothfield On a warm and sunny Saturday in May, The Altona WPL girls headed to Elgar Park to take on new-comers to the competition, Kew. From the outset we knew this would be a tough game as both teams sat on the bottom of the ladder 0-4 and desperately...
Seagal’s Section – WPLR vs KEW
by Taniciah Isorena On a pleasant Saturday morning the WPLR were out in Box Hill to front against the newcomers Kew Hockey Club. So far in the season they had lost all their games but only by small margins, indicating that they were not to be taken advantage of. The...
Seagal’s Section – Premier League in Ballarat
by Taylah Brennan Last week we headed to wintery Ballarat, to face a fierce opponent in Greensborough. The game from the very first whistle was played at a high intensity, and we were under the pump in the first few minutes. We defended well with numerous corners...
HV Women & Girl’s Breakfast
On Friday the 8th of May I was fortunate to be invited to emcee the 2015 Hockey Victoria Women’s and Girls Breakfast: Dare to Dream. Guest Speaker Senator Nova Peris shared her experience in hockey, athletics, politics, and life to an audience of around 200 members of...
Watch Premier League Men & Women take on Hawthorn
Our Premier League sides travelled out to Hawthorn on Sunday to take part of the My Sport Live and Hockey Victoria Stream. In an exciting new initiative you can watch the full games online! Featuring some Altona commentary as well as on-field talent. Women's Full Game...
Seagal’s Section – HVWPL v Hawthorn
Round 3 - Altona v Hawthorn WPL By Jess Brennan On Sunday The Altona Hockey Club WPL girls made the trek to play Hawthorn HC, the current team to beat in the competition, having the services of three Hockeyroos and a total of seven vipers players. This did not phase...
Seagal’s Section – HVWPLR v Hawthorn
Round 3 - Altona v Hawthorn WPLR By Phoebe Rothfield Our Altona Hockey Club WPLR girls travelled across the bridge on a warm and sunny Sunday to take on Hawthorn HC, currently unbeaten in the competition and on top of the ladder. Our girls started off the game...
ANZAC Day Games vs MCC
Thank-you to all who joined us on ANZAC Day last week at the Snakepit. While it was always going to be a sombre mood for the day, it was great to see a big crowd for our Service and both Premier League games. Unfortunately we couldn't get the results on the pitch with...