Development Pathways

Pathways to be Adopted to Ensure the Future 

A typical pathway for a youth athlete to reach the elite level of sport is outlined below and was depicted from the Australian Institute of Sport (4):  

1. Start playing junior introduction levels of hockey around the age of 6 years old (in Australia – Hook in2 Hockey). Even here talent identification can take place, recognising hand eye co-ordination, athleticism, sportsmanship, leadership, listening skills and the ability to learn and engage.  

• TIME COMMITMENT: one session per week  

2.  Start playing hockey (9 years of age). This is more advanced then the introduction levels games as it is played on the actual sized turf with the similar rules to the elite level. 

• TIME COMMITMENT: two sessions per week  

3. Invest time into playing summer comps during the off season to improve skills. 

• TIME COMMITMENT: one session per week  

4. Start playing graded hockey at age 11. Reality check: this indicates that the individual is in the top 5 of their community.  

• TIME COMMITMENT: three sessions per week  

5. Under 12 state side selection. Reality check: indicates being in the top 16 of the state  

• TIME COMMITMENT: four sessions a week (including club and state commitments)  

6. Continues to make state representative sides up until the age of 16.

7. Under 16 Australian side selection. Reality check: indicates being in the top 16 of the nation  

• TIME COMMITMENT: five to six sessions a week (including club, state and national commitments)  

8. Makes development side selection (for example: Vikings and Vipers). Reality check: the athlete is in for a large chance of selection for the elite side  

• TIME COMMITMENT: six sessions a week  

9. Makes national elite side. Reality check:  top 24 players in the country  

10. Plays in Olympics or World Cup. Reality check:  top 16 players in the country   

Stop – Check Your Knowledge

1. Why is elite sport becoming more popular for young people to strive towards?
   a. Because kids want to be rich and famous
   b. Sponsors invest huge sums of money into clubs, teams and individual athletes
   c. For the fun of it
2. Why has talent identification for young athletes increased?
   a. Level of competition has become higher
   b. Numbers of the sport are declining, so they are ensuring elite players for the future
   c. There is an over saturation of players
3. What is the percentage chance of being selected in the Australian National Hockey Team?
   a. 0.03%
   b. 0.1%
   c. 50%
4. How many Vikings and Viper players continue onto the National side?
   a. 50%
   b. 10%
   c. 95%
5. According to the pathway adopted by the AIS, what age should you be introduced to hockey?
   a. 6
   b. 3
   c. 12
6. What age are you when you should be representing your country in the age-related side?
   a. 18
   b. 21
   c. 16