2021 FIRE ACADEMY BOOKLET INTRODUCING THE FIRE ACADEMY “FIRED UP & TAKING HOCKEY The Fire Academy is Hockey South Australia’s leading Development & High-Performance Program. The program is in its second year after a TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN SA” successful introduction in 2020. The Academy is run by Hockey South Australia’s High-Performance Department and SA’s leading coaches. “2020 came with plenty of surprises, on and off the pitch. On one hand we saw disruptions, cancellations and disappointment, on the other we saw some really quality Approximately 350 athletes will gain selection into the Academy across three age groups. Each age opportunities arise. Fire Academy was one of them, and we were stoked to have the group will have a specific training plan tailored to their age groups performance timeline. This will launch in 2020. The uptake from regional and metropolitan athletes was phenomenal, include peak training times leading into State Trial/ National Championships, off-peak training times throughout the regular club season and tapered blocks, being mindful of athlete load management. and the entire program had a really positive vibe. I’m pumped to see the Fire Academy evolve in 2021 to give our young athletes the best hockey experience possible for both The Fire Academy will continue to provide both Regional & Metropolitan athletes the opportunity enjoyment and development into high performing athletes. Get Fired up and we will to develop their technical & tactical skills in a competitive environment. see you on the pitch soon!” Each Academy age group is structured around an athlete’s annual performance & development timeline to include adequate training & recovery time throughout different periods of the year. TODD KITTO High Performance and Development Manager “What a whirlwind 12 months! I’ve never been so proud of the Hockey SA community in sticking together, staying positive and getting the most out of a tough and unique year. It was pretty special to launch the Fire Academy in such tough and unusual times for athletes and families. The application throughout the inaugural year was superb and I’m really looking forward to what 2021 & beyond has in store for South Australian Hockey. I’m Fired up!” MATT MORTON High Performance & Development Coordinator 2 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 3 REGIONAL ACADEMIES In 2021 the Fire Academy will continue to provide An extended training program in 2021 will play a Regional athletes the opportunity to excel and critical role in continuing to develop country-based HP Staff Regional Visits develop both their technical & tactical skills in a athletes in a high-performance environment. HOCKEY SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE DEPARTMENT WILL LIAISE WITH EACH REGIONAL FIRE competitive environment whilst in their regionally As per the Academy in 2020, athletes from each ACADEMY TO ORGANISE AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO VISIT AND ASSIST IN DELIVERING A WEEKLY TRAINING based daily training environment. individual region will combine to train and will have SESSION. Hockey South Australia is extremely proud of the a high degree of focus on strength & conditioning, impressive representation of country-based athletes movement capabilities and technical & tactical skill in both junior State Teams and Australian squads. We development through a wide range of competitive are striving to continue this long-standing tradition scenarios & match play. of developing quality regional athletes in South Regional Programs will be coordinated by local Australia. association management and volunteers. Regional In 2021, Hockey South Australia’s High-Performance Academy Coaches will be selected by Hockey SA Department will be visiting each Regional Fire High-Performance Department in collaboration Academy throughout the duration of the year and with each Regional Association. The HSA High- assisting Regional Fire Academy Staff in delivering Performance department will be working closely with a weekly training session in their Daily Training each Regional Academy to ensure the program aligns Environment. with the current Hockey SA “Way of Play”. Please note, Regional Academy Programs will be delivered in similar time frames to the Metro Academy, although have potential to offer additional sessions pending on budget and facility availability throughout 2021. 4 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 5 SELECTION CRITERIA HOW TO GAIN SELECTION INTO THE 2021 FIRE ACADEMY Athlete Age Eligibility Entry Point Automatic Entry Additional Information Selections of athletes will be based on the following criteria: UNDER 13 The athlete is 11 - 13 Attend and be There will be NO Athletes who THE CRITERIA USED BY THE SELECTION PANEL FOR ALL ACADEMIES WILL BE ACADEMY years of age. Born identified at either the automatic entry in physically cannot • Performance • Potential to improve between 2008 - 2009 Regional or U13 Metro 2021 due to State attend the relevant TID Talent Identification Selection & National camp may apply for • Physical Capabilities • Competitive Ability Camp. Championships being an exemption. Please • Technical Competence • Attitude and Behaviour held later on in 2021. note this does not • Game Knowledge – Tactical Ability • Team / Squad orientation guarantee selection. *Athletes selected in • Coachability • Communication the 2021 SA U13 Teams Alternatively, athletes will gain automatic may attend a different entry into 2022 U13 TID Camp of the same Fire Academy. age group. UNDER 15 The athlete is 13 - 15 Attend and be Athletes selected in Athletes who ACADEMY years of age. Born identified at either the the 2021 SA U15 State physically cannot between 2006 - 2007 Regional or U15 Metro Team gain automatic attend the relevant TID Talent Identification entry into the Fire camp may apply for Camp. Academy and do note an exemption. Please need to attend Talent note this does not ID Camp. guarantee selection. *This only applies Alternatively, athletes for touring athletes. may attend a different Train-on athletes must TID Camp of the same attend Talent ID Camp. age group. UNDER 18 The athlete is 15-18 Attend and be Athletes selected in Athletes who ACADEMY years of age. Born identified at either the the 2021 SA U18 State physically cannot between 2005 - 2003 Regional or U18 Metro Team gain automatic attend the relevant TID Talent Identification entry into the Fire camp may apply for Camp. Academy and do not an exemption. Please need to attend Talent note this does not ID Camp. guarantee selection. *This only applies Alternatively, athletes for touring athletes. may attend a different Train-on athletes must TID Camp of the same attend Talent ID Camp age group. *State Athletes with Automatic Entry do not need to attend the TID Camp, however athletes are welcomed to attend. Athletes will receive an email with their Academy invitation. 6 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 7 ACADEMY OVERVIEW AGES 12-18 (U13, U15 & U18) AIMS: PROGRAMMING: PROGRAM INCLUDES: • Holistically develop athletes as hockey players Each Academy has been designed to align with an • High performance training environment in both • Technical skill development including but not and as people through Hockey SA’s 3 Pillars of athlete’s annual calendar with key events throughout Regional and Metropolitan areas which involves limited to; Receiving, passing, leading, shooting Development: the year. The programming gives athletes the the best athletes in each age group across the and specialist skills. • Skill development & Decision Making opportunity to continue their development across state. • Tactical and structural awareness utilising match a longer training period to maximise the ability to • High quality training sessions designed and run by play and competitive scenarios. • Fundamental Movements (Strength & retain information and develop core skills. Conditioning) HSA High Performance Department & experienced • Technical & Tactical development to be aligned Programs are age group specific. They have been South Australian coaches. with Hockey South Australia’s “Way of Play” • Character Development designed in relation to an athlete’s long-term • Continual development in injury prevention & • Small sided games – Developing game sense in • Continue to develop a broader and deeper base of development plan. fundamental movements through warmups. talent across South Australia in both Regional & confined spaces Metropolitan areas. • 12-month Strength & Conditioning program • High intensity full field match play designed around an athlete’s annual calendar (Pre- • Offer High quality training environments for PLEASE NOTE Season, In-Season & Post-Season). The program • State Team trial & selection preparation aspiring talent with High Performance coaches. will focus on Cardio, Strength, Prehab & movement Being in the Fire Academy is not a • Local competition preparation and In-Season skills. • Provide athletes the opportunity to play in prerequisite for State Selection nor does training. their own age groups to enhance leadership & it guarantee future selection. All athletes • Regular fitness testing to assist athletes in • Athlete & Parent educational seminars to align development opportunities. wishing to nominate for State selection creating elite training habits and developing with age specific needs. • Program is specifically designed around an will need to do so by completing the mental toughness. athlete’s annual calendar which leads into Key separate State Team selection process. The events i.e. State Trials or National