The Regional Academies of Sport (RAS) and Hockey NSW are excited to announce an extension of their
partnership in building and implementing a significant development that promises to shape the future of
athlete development and performance within the Hockey NSW pathway.
Labelled ‘Futures Academy,’ this initiative is designed to propel the sport of Hockey towards excellence and
innovation on the pathway to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and with the support of the RAS will assist in the
development of regional athletes from across the state.
The role of RAS in this re-built tier one program will be to provide Performance Support to the state’s leading
regional athletes. Essentially preparing talented young pre-elite male and female athletes for the rigours of the
elite levels of their chosen sport. RAS provide critical opportunities for young sports people to access quality
support and development opportunities in a holistic environment – opportunities that would not otherwise be
available.
With a strategic focus on holistic athlete development, the Hockey NSW Futures Academy aims to redefine the
pathway for aspiring athletes in NSW. This comprehensive program marks a pivotal moment in our journey
towards creating a pipeline for future Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, whilst nurturing talent across the state.
Whilst Hockey NSW will provide the coaching, skill acquisition and sport development component of the
program, RAS will provide the identified athletes with off-field performance support including education in
strength and conditioning, sports psychology, and nutrition. The strength and conditioning component
incorporates functional testing, movement screening, athlete conditioning and training load management to
provide an integrated approach and a service that is individually suited to promoting enhanced athletic
development and a transferal effect for improved sports performance.
Chair of the Regional Academies of Sport Brett O’Farrell commented on the exciting partnership “To work with
the state’s most promising young athlete’s ten year’s out from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games is quite
exciting, this program has been built to develop the next generation of Future Champions and we hope to
witness many Kookaburra and Hockeyroos on our tv screens in the coming years originate from this program.”
Brent Livermore OLY OAM, high performance manger for Hockey NSW commented “Hockey NSW is pleased to
announce an exciting shift with the alignment and partnership with the RAS that will help guide and steer the
direction of the Futures Academy and pathway not only in Regional NSW< but across the state.”
“It is a well needed shift in the pathway to engage and align with all members and stakeholders in building the
foundations required to implement a sustainable pathway across NSW,” said Mr Livermore.
RAS will also be operating a tier two development program within the regions with the aim to talent-identify
and provide a further opportunity for those pathway athletes in the sport.