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 Rd 3 – Live Stream!
This Sunday is our first live streamed game of the year! See our Premier League Men and Women take on Hawthorn Hockey Club. First up our women take on the star-studded Hawks, containing ex-Hockeyroos Claire Messent, Kary Chau and Emily Hurtz, as well as ex-Jillaroo...
Congratulations Kieran Symons 50 Games!
This weekend when our Premier League men take on Hawthorn it will be Kieran Symons 50th game! This is a great achievement for Kieran, coming the whole way through the Altona junior system, and following in the footsteps of his father, club legend and dual premiership...
Congratulations Josh Horton 50 Games
This week Josh Horton plays his 50th Premier League game for the AHC against MCC at the Snakepit! Over his first 50 games he has made an incredible start, making a position in the midfield his own on the way to the finals campaign in 2014. Join us at 2pm for all of...
ANZAC Day at the AHC
ANZAC Day at AHC ANZAC Day holds a special place in Australia’s history and we are proud to be holding Premier League games at home on Saturday. The Altona RSL is a great supporter of the Altona Hockey Club especially in their capacity as Junior Development partner....
Round 1 Premier League Men Highlights
Pat Phillips’ 100 Games
Apart from being round 1 tomorrow it is also a big game for our #hvmpl side with Patrick Phillips playing his 100th game! Since his debut in 2009 Pat has cemented his spot as one of our key strikers on the pitch, as well as contributing a lot to the club off the...
Round 1 at the Snakepit
Round 1 is finally here for our senior players! We are already off to a flying start with both of our men's Masters team securing wins on Monday night (our Women's Master's had a well deserved rest with a bye), but the action picks up this weekend! Facing off in a...
Altona HC Cricket Challenge
AHCOC tied with AHCYC 153 runs a piece The inaugural Altona HC Cricket Challenge ended in controversy on Sunday. While the AHCYC thought they had won the match, an audit of the scores today has seen the match actually ending in a tie, with both teams ending on 153...
Inaugural Fundraising Gala Wrap
The Inaugural Altona Hockey Club Fundraising Gala saw over 200 guests flock to Burbank Headquarters in Altona for a night of glamour, celebrities and music. The ladies looked amazing, and the gents looked sharp, as they arrived on the blue carpet to the flashes of A’s...
Announcement – Men’s Premier League Coach
The Board of the Altona Hockey Club, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Newell as the Men's Premier League Head Coach for 2015. Ben has been an integral part of the men's coaching panel under Ben Guy for the last 2 seasons. Ben has previously been an...
Andrew Scanlon selected for Australia U21’s
Altona Premier League gun player, Andrew Scanlon, has been named in Australia’s U/21 Mens squad, the Burras, for a tournament in Malaysia next month. The tournament is an opportunity for the squad to gain international experience, and will be viewed by selectors as a...
U14 Shield Girls Win Premiership!
Altona went into the final against Footscray as underdogs, after two narrow losses to them during the season. They had only conceded a total of 8 goals against them and we knew it would be difficult to break through their defence. The Altona girls made a shaky start,...