Aspiring hockey juniors across the Riverina are coming together under a revamped development program in 2019 – and the squad is running hot.
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Rebranded as Riverina Heat, the region’s best hockey talents aged between 13-15 have been training under a new centre of development initiative since October last year in preparation for the NSW Hockey Regional Challenge.
NSW Hockey regional coaching coordinator Patrick O’Donnell said the rebrand was aimed at engaging junior players and providing opportunities for talent identification.
“It’s been about finding our own identity and the kids have been really getting into it,” O’Donnell said.
“It’s pretty much our first year with the Heat and we started early – it’s been hot but the kids have been training really hard.
“At the end of the day, (Riverina Heat) is about getting these kids across to different regions and giving them a chance to be identified.
“All these different areas have different skill levels and it’s good for the kids to see that and hopefully learn a bit too.”
Around 50 players comprised for 39 Wagga juniors and 11 players from around the Griffith area are in the squad and O’Donnell has been ensuring the best possible coaching for his young charges.
“We’ve had (current NSW mens representative) Dylan Martin come down, which is good having a Wagga guy along and (former Hockeyroo) Casey Sablowski has also done some work with the kids, which has been great.”
“I think they really benefit from having those top-level players come down and share their knowledge and experience.
“It makes it a bit more interesting and exciting having them along.”
There’s still a month to go before the Riverina Heat make their competitive debut at the Regional Challenge in Moorebank and O’Donnell is excited to see how they fare on the big stage.
Riverina Heat will take under 13s and under 15s squads to the state-wide tournament.
The centre of development program is open to all skill levels from beginner to young players with a few years experience.
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