FIRE ACADEMY BOOKLET INTRODUCING INDEX THE FIRE ACADEMY Shaping the future of Hockey in South Australia The Fire Academy is Hockey South Australia’s leading Development & High-Performance Program. The Academy is run by Hockey South Australia’s High-Performance Department and involves intensive skill-based training, modified games and full field match play. INTRODUCING FIRE ACADEMY 3 Approximately 400 athletes will gain selection into the Academy over the five age groups. REGIONAL ACADEMIES 4 There have been some exciting changes made to the way the Athlete Development will be structured. The 2020 Fire Academy will have four seperate age groups; U13, U15, U18 & U24. Please note, there will SELECTION CRITERIA 6 be changes in 2021 to the age groups and timelines as 2020 has been affected by COVID-19. The Fire Academy will provide emerging talent from Regional & Metropolitan areas to develop ACADEMY PROGRAM OVERVIEW 8 their tactical and technical skills. FIRE ACADEMY TOUR 10 These Academies will be structured to lead into age specific National Tournaments with various checkpoints along the way i.e. State Trials, State Selection and State Training. AGE SPECIFIC PROGRAM DETAILS 12 ACADEMY PILLARS OF DEVELOPMENT 18 TALENT ID CAMPS 19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 20 2 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 3 REGIONAL ACADEMIES The Fire Academy in Regional Associations will vary Weekly training will play a critical role in creating a in size, shape and form, they will undoubtedly offer high-performance environment by combining athletes HP Staff Regional Visits an excellent opportunity for athletes to develop their from each region. Sessions will have a high degree of JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAY TRAVEL hockey skills. focus on technical and tactical skill development in the For many years Hockey South Australia has had context of full and modified games. Region / Zone Location Regional Academy Associations Date an excellent representation of country-based Regional Programs will be coordinated by local Country West Whyalla Whyalla, Port Lincoln U13, U15 & U18 Monday – July 6th athletes in junior State Teams, and an even better association management and volunteers. Regional Yorke Peninsula, Port Pirie, representation in Australian squads. We are striving Academy Coaches will be selected by Hockey Mid North Port Pirie Tuesday – July 7th to continue this long standing tradition of developing SA High Performance Department and will have Clare U13, U15 & U18 quality regional athletes in South Australia. numerous opportunities to collaborate with HSA High Barossa / Riverland Nuriootpa Riverland, Barossa U13, U15 & U18 Wednesday – 8th July Performance staff to ensure the program aligns with To intiate the program, members of the Hockey SA Thursday & Friday the current Hockey SA “Way of Play”. Country South East Naracoorte Naracoorte, Lower South East U14 & U17 High Performance Department will be visiting and – 9th & 10th July assisting in the Talent Identification, development of U13, U15 & U18s Regional Academies will be funded athletes and supporting staff in the establishment of through a 70:30 funding model. 30% of athlete costs the Fire Academy. will be to support the administrative costs of HP Please note, Regional Academy Programs will staff assisting local Fire Academy staff. The 70% be delivered in similar time frames to the Metro will be delivered into regional program costs such as Academy, although have potential to offer additional coaches, equipment, pitch hire etc. sessions pending on budget and regional academy logistics coordinators. 4 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 5 SELECTION CRITERIA HOW TO GAIN SELECTION INTO THE FIRE ACADEMY WHICH AGE GROUPS AUTOMATIC ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Selections of athletes will be based on the following criteria: ARE AVAILABLE ENTRY THE CRITERIA USED BY THE SELECTION PANEL FOR ALL TEAMS WILL BE UNDER 13 The Athlete is 12-13 Attend and be Athletes born in relevant years that are • Performance ACADEMY years on DEC 31st the identified at either the selected in the 2019 U13 Red State Team • Physical Capabilities year of Academy. U13 Regional or Metro (this does NOT include train-on players) who Talent Identification physically cannot attend the TID camp may • Technical Competence Camp. apply for an exemption. Please note this • Game Knowledge – Tactical Ability does not guarantee selection. • Potential to improve UNDER 15 The Athlete is 14-15 Attend and be Athletes born in the relevant years that were • Competitive Ability ACADEMY years on DEC 31st the identified at either the selected in the 2020 U15 State Team (this • Attitude and Behaviour year of Academy. U15 Regional or Metro does NOT include train-on players) who Talent Identification physically cannot attend the TID camp may • Team / Squad orientation Camp. apply for an exemption. Please note this • Communication does not guarantee selection. UNDER 18 The Athlete is 16-18 Attend and be Athletes born in the relevant years that were ACADEMY years on DEC 31st the identified at either the selected in the 2020 U18 State Team (this year of Academy. U18 Regional or Metro does NOT include train-on players) who Talent Identification physically cannot attend the TID camp may Camp. apply for an exemption. Please note this does not guarantee selection. UNDER 24 The Athlete is 19-24 Invitations will be sent Athletes may be invited throughout the year ACADEMY years on DEC 31st the to selected athletes after National Tournaments if performance year of Academy. born in the relevant standards have been met. years that are selected in previous U18 & U21 State Teams (this does NOT include train-on players) 6 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 7 ACADEMY PROGRAM OVERVIEW AGES 13-24 AIMS: PROGRAMMING: PROGRAM INCLUDES: • To develop athletes as hockey players and Each Academy has been designed to align with • High performance training environment with the • Small sided games - Developing game sense in as people through Hockey SA’s 3 Pillars of key events throughout the year. The programming best athletes in each age group across the state. confined spaces Development: gives athletes the opportunity to continue their • High quality training sessions designed and run by • High intensity full field match play • Skill development & Decision Making development across multiple academies in a HSA High Performance team & experienced South calendar year. • State Team trial & selection preparation • Fundamental Movements Australian coaches. Programs are age group specific. They have been • Local competition preparation and In-season • Character Development • Introduction to Strength & Conditioning focusing training. designed in relation to an athletes long term on fundamental movements & injury prevention. • Develop a broader and deeper base of talent development plan. • Technical & Tactical development aligned with across South Australia for improved State Team • Fundamental movement skills & injury prevention Hockey South Australia’s ‘Way of Play’. education with individual gym program Performances. • Athlete & Parent educational seminars to align • Offer high quality training environments for • Fitness testing and individualised training with age specific needs. aspiring talent with High Performance coaches. program designed to improve athlete longevity. • Provide athletes the opportunity to play in their own age groups to enhance leadership & development opportunities. • Specifically designed to lead into Key events i.e National Championships or State Trials • Provide education and athlete development in: • Strength & Conditioning utilising fundamental movements and injury prevention exercises. • Character Development sessions through guest speakers and seminars • To develop a broader range of high quality coaches State wide • To provide quality Regional development opportunities through program support and Camp visits. PLEASE NOTE: Being in the Fire Academy is not a prerequisite for State Selection nor does it guarantee future selection. All athletes wishing to nominate for State selection will need to do so by completing the separate State Team selection process. The selection process for all State Teams will be conducted through trials independent of each Academy program. 8 | Adelaide Fire Academy Adelaide Fire Academy | 9 FIRE ACADEMY TOUR With the recent cancellation MATCH DAYS (SELECTION EVENT): of U15 and U18 National Championships, Hockey SA in Age Group Location Date Time partnership with Hockey Vic U15 Female State Hockey Centre October 4th TBC will be conducting an interstate competition hosted in Bendigo. U15 Male State Hockey Centre October 4th TBC This opportunity will be made U18 Female State Hockey Centre October 5th TBC exclusive to Fire Academy U15 and U18 athletes. U18 Male State Hockey Centre October 5th TBC This competition is designed to play a pivotal role in South TOUR DATES: Australian athlete development, providing high level exposure and Age Group Location Tour Date Cost playing opportunities against U15 Female Bendigo, Vic quality opposition. These tours will be focused on introducing U15 Male Bendigo, Vic October 29th Approximately new playing styles, structures U18 Female Bendigo, Vic - November 4th $1000 per athlete and preparing athletes for future pathway opportunities. U18 Male Bendigo, Vic Due to the number of athletes COST INCLUDES: participating in the Fire Academy, this tour opportunity will only • Travel Transport be available to selected athletes • Accommodation based on performance and • Food attitude