For the first time in six years, the North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) has announced that in partnership with Hockey NSW – the Academy will again offer a Hockey Program to underpin the Hockey NSW Athlete Acceleration Program (AAP) in 2019-2020.

The NCAS program will support athletes progress through the athlete pathway and be given the support they need to progress to the next level. 

The North Coast Academy of Sport hockey program will develop and support hockey players between the age of 16 and 18 years of age. 

The purpose of the hockey program is to:

PROVIDE an environment for the athletes to develop and progress on the pathway in their home location;

GIVE access to quality services and programs as they progress through the Hockey Pathway;

PREPARE athletes for the 2020 Hockey season; and

PROVIDE a coach education program for Regional Academy coaches, with the support of Hockey NSW Coaching Network.

"After an absence of some six years – a Hockey program will again be delivered to our outstanding young hockey players on the North Coast – from Port Macquarie through to Tweed Heads, providing sports specific skills development and physical preparation as well as an excellent sports education program, right here in our region,” NCAS Executive Director John Kincade said.

The new program was launched at the Lismore Hockey Complex yesterday where Hockey NSW's U18 NSW Boys Championships are taking place with Hockey NSW CEO David Thompson, Hockey NSW Pathway Manager Richard Willis, Hockey NSW RCC North Coast Adrian McGrath, Hockey NSW Coach Steve Cox, NCAS Sports Program Manager D'Arcy Van den Bossche and Mr Kincade present.

The NCAS/Hockey NSW program will run from October to April 2020 and applications for coaching staff and athletes will be announced in July.