Lithgow will play hosts to the Western Region Academy of Sport hockey squad this Sunday for an intensive training day. Athletes from across the region will arrive at the Lithgow Hockey Centre at 8am for a full day of training. The 2008 squad consists of some of the most talented young sporting stars of the future including Lithgow’s Shelby Craig, Sarah Hodgkinson, Holly Luck, Ben Redding, Beth Redding, David Reid, Courtney Sammut and Luke Thurtell. The day will focus on the refinement of skills such as footwork, flicking, drawing defence, channelling and set plays. The training day will be the final squad training before the squad comes together at Newcastle for the hockey Inter Academy Games on the 8 & 9 March. Head Coach Wayne ‘Wally’ Gaynor, of Lithgow, will lead the squad, and be joined by assistant coaches Jo Davis, Michelle Melhuish and Debbie Orrock. Gaynor said “It will be the last training session for the athletes to train together as a squad before the Inter Academy Games in Newcastle. This training is very important for the athletes to put all their skills into practice and refine their team work in game situations, communication and set plays such as penalty corners.” Coaches, players and parents interested in picking up some coaching tips and seeing what is expected at the next level are welcome to attend the training session. END