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.
A’s go down to slick Camberwell
Altona's finals dream turned into a night mare, after getting thrashed 5-1 by Camberwell on Sunday at the State Hockey Centre in Parkville. The heart-stopping last gasp draw against Doncaster the previous week to secure the A's their first Premier League finals...
Junior Semi-Final Reports
U14 Girls The under 14 girls have had a great season this year. We ended second on the ladder, 1 point behind Footscray and hit the most goals in the league. In the semi-final, we faced a strong Camberwell side, who had spent all season at the top of the ladder until...
A Note From the Self-Proclaimed Leader of the Blue & Gold Army
AUGUST IS OVER, SO THAT MEANS IT'S A-TEMBER!!!! AND A-TEMBER MEANS FINALS HOCKEY!!!!Spring is here... that smell of freshly cut grass.. the temperature is a little warmer... it's almost time to get your bag of fruit or pretty frock ready for the horse racing.... but...
Women’s Premier League Finish Season Strongly
The game between the A's WPL and Doncaster had no bearing on the finals. However, the improving Altona outfit were desperate to finish the season on a good note against a good, talented team. Altona, as has been the pattern in recent games surprised the opposition...
Premier League Men Make Finals for First Time in 11 Years
Altona Hockey Club's Mens Premier League side has made finals for the first time in 11 years after a come from behind draw against Doncaster on Saturday. A large loyal contingent from the A's made the trek out to Donvale for the season defining match, and made sure...
Altona A’s closing in on finals berth
Article by Lance Jenkinson - Star Weekly. Altona is just 70 minutes away from its first Hockey Victoria men’s top-flight finals appearance since 2003. The A’s need only to draw with fifth-placed Doncaster in the last home-and-away round at the Doncaster Regional...
Altona Out-Class the Reigning Premiers at Home
Altona royalty were in the crowd on Saturday and they saw a slick, professional performance from the Premier League side. With the 20 year reunion of the 1994 State League Premiership side on Saturday, Altona had an extra bit of inspiration to win against cross-town...
Fair Go, Sport! Round
Altona is proud to be a Fair go, Sport! club, and recently Taylah Brennan has been involved a photoshoot with other Victorian Goalkeepers supporting Gus Johnston and the Fair go, Sport! message to keep homophobia out of sport - and particularly hockey. It is always a...
Altona Keep Finals Hopes Alive
Altona have kept their finals hopes alive, recording a 2-1 win over Essendon at Grant Reserve on Saturday. The A's got off to a slow start, and looked like they may be as sluggish as they were during their loss to cellar-dwellars Mentone, but were kept in the game by...
Matthew Guest will play for Canada at Commonwealth Games
Article from the Hobsons Bay Leader - By Damien Ratcliffe ALTONA hockey player Matthew Guest will hit the pitch at this week’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but not as a Kookaburra. The 29-year-old will be representing Canada, his mother’s birth country, in his...
Altona hold Greensborough to draw
Altona drew with top of the ladder Greensborough in a hard fought contest at Plenty Park on Saturday. Greensborough dominated early, creating multiple scoring opportunities. Goal keeper Tom Pinnegar was solid, saving several shots, before one got through, giving...
Altona Men Shocked by Mentone at Home
Altona’s Mens Premier League was disappointing in their 0-3 loss to bottom placed Mentone on Sunday at Grant Reserve. It was even more disappointing for the many fans who turned out at home for veteran Tyson Priddle’s 250th Premier League appearance. Altona started...