The Regional Academies of Sport Incorporated (RASi) NSW are excited to announce a new strategic partnership with Hockey NSW, marking a significant milestone in the development of future hockey talent across the state. This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will see RASi play a crucial role in delivering Hockey NSW’s pathway programs for U/16 and U/18 athletes in regional areas.
Under this agreement, RASi will become the primary delivery network for the Hockey NSW pathway programs in regional NSW, offering young athletes vital opportunities to progress within the sport. The partnership aims to nurture and develop talent, providing aspiring hockey players with the training, support and resources needed to advance to state-level teams and compete on national platforms.
The program will specifically target two age groups, U/16 and U/18, with RASi hosting training and development sessions that align with Hockey NSW’s pathways. The primary goal is to offer athletes a high-performance environment to refine their skills and enhance their chances of state team selection. This will be achieved through access to quality coaching, technical training, and performance support services, including nutrition and psychology education.
Each year, the program will culminate in major events that serve as talent identification opportunities for state team selection. These include the Your Local Club Academy Games for U16 and the Academy Challenge for U18, where athletes will be talent identified for Hockey NSW State Teams.
The partnership also aims to strengthen the regional coaching framework. Coaches involved in the program will receive educational support, enhancing their capabilities in nurturing regional talent. Furthermore, umpire development will be a key focus, ensuring that officiating talent grows alongside player development.
“We are excited to partner with Hockey NSW to deliver a program that will open doors for young athletes in regional areas. Our goal is to provide them with the resources and opportunities they need to progress through the hockey ranks,” said Brett O’Farrell, Chair of RASi.
Hockey NSW CEO Matthew Bulkeley said, “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with RASi as a key part of our new strategic direction and officially partner with them to enhance the development opportunities provided for hockey across the state.”
“This partnership will allow Hockey NSW’s Pathway Program to continue to provide opportunities to Under 16 and Under 18-year-olds within the footprint of each Regional Academy of Sport. This is a very important strategic directive of Hockey NSW’s performance pillar, and we are excited to continue working together with RASi to achieve this,” Bulkeley finished.
