HOCKEY

The Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) program provides high performance coaching and training opportunities to up-skill athletes and assist them in progressing to higher representation within the sport of hockey.

WRAS and the Regional Academy network in NSW has had a long standing partnership with Hockey NSW, playing a vital role in the Hockey NSW pathway by identifying, monitoring and developing the skills of young hockey players.

WRAS will continue to function in this regard in 2025.

TRIAL INFORMATION

Nominations for the 2025 Hockey Program have now closed.

To register your interest for the 2026 program click here

ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION PROCESS

To be eligible for selection in the 2025 program athletes must:

Athletes must nominate as an U16 athlete (i.e., is not born before 2009) or as an U18 athlete (i.e., is not born before 2007)
Athletes identified by Hockey NSW will be contacted by HNSW and WRAS regarding program selection

The following selection criteria may be taken into consideration during the selection process:

Physical attributes and capabilities
Technical competence
Tactical awareness
Potential to improve
Competitive ability
Individual application
Performance and results at specific events
Coachability and behaviour

ATHLETE BENEFITS

Intensive training sessions by local elite coaches
Skill development
Inter-Academy Development camps
Injury prevention screenings and strength and conditioning training programs
Sports science fitness testing
Educational seminars

Opportunities to compete in elite events such as the Your Local Club Academy Games

2025 PROGRAM STAFF

Head Coach: Kent Bestwick (Bathurst)

Assistant Coach: Ben Weal (Bathurst)

2025 ATHLETES

Female U16

Hadlie Henson
Lucy Tallentire
Layla Gibbons
Milly Olsson
Zoe Fulton
Grace Yeo
Sienna Collins
Emily Wray
Addison Summerhayes
Lydia Allcorn
Amelia Hanman
Ellie Olsson
Addisen Welch
Annabelle Webb
Clare Wood

Female U18

Zoe Wood
Violet Henson
Lauren Weal
Jennifer Wells
Charlize Cattermole
Elly Thornberry
Kelsie Richards
Ally Evans
Georgia Baillie
Charlotte Ortiger
Ellyce Bestwick
Marley van der Velde
Emily Tallentire
Elizabeth Lang
Lacey Carter
Addison Walker

Male U16

Sam Westcott
Lucas Penson
Connor Byrne
Vann Cutler
James Butt
Patrick (PJ) McPherson
Jacques Van Wyk
Hughie Orr
Brayden Walker

Male U18

Alexander Walker-Cooke
James Robinson
Rhys Jones
Logan Speer
Will Daymond
Henry Rice
Mitchell Williamson
Jett Johnstone
Angus Taylor