The Southern Sports Academy (SSA) and the Regional Academy of Sport (RAS) network in NSW has had a long-standing partnership with Hockey NSW playing a vital role in the Hockey NSW pathway by identifying, monitoring and developing the skills of young hockey players.
The SSA Hockey Program is a program endorsed by Hockey NSW to deliver a pathway program for U16s and U18s. The program includes athletes in the Hockey NSW Pathways & Performance Program and selected athletes through local trials.
The SSA Program is designed to up-skill athletes and assist them in progressing to higher representation in the sport.
The following benefits will apply to those selected in the program:
Who can nominate for the SSA 2026 hockey program?
• The program will consist of two age groups. U16 and U18. Athletes must fall into one of these categories
• Athletes must reside or attend school in the SSA catchment area
• Athletes must be a current registered member of their local association
• Please note that all athletes, including identified state team-level athletes, must participate in RAS talent
• programs. –
A state team will be selected from the RAS cohort of athletes. Throughout the program, there will be
several talent ID events, at which point a group of 36 athletes (two state teams) will be “elevated” into a
state team program. This elevated state squad will continue training in the RAS pathway program, noting
state team duties and/or clashes will supersede RAS training in the ten weeks prior to nationals.
How are selections made?
• To be considered for selection, athletes must complete the nomination form before the closing date/time and
attend the trial.
• Being part of a previous SSA squad does not guarantee selection.
• A detailed selection criterion is used, which includes physical attributes and capabilities, technical competence,
tactical awareness, potential to improve, competitive ability, individual application, coachability and behaviour,
performance and results at specific events, and coachability and behaviour.
• A list of selected athletes is placed on the SSA website, and trailing athletes are advised by email.
• Offers must be accepted by the due date, or they may be withdrawn and offered to another athlete.
Head Coach
Andrew Sinclair (Griffith)
Matt Davis (Albury)
Assistant Coach
Malcom King (Wagga Wagga)
Girls
Addison Cowie
Ashlynn Dallas
Bianca Zabenko
Chloe Pearce
Elisha Bardy
Ella Sinclair
Jessica Mclaren
Lucy Bolton
Millie Davis
Payton Wilesmith
Rahni Sorensen
Shania Treffers
Sydney Pilkington
Zoe Bathgate
Boys
Adam Taylor
Connor Dawson
Drew Murray
Ewan Jones
Hamish Gomersall
Harry Liddicoat
Hrishi Meher
Jake Cronin
Jamison Boyd
Owen Dinsdale
Phoenix Hawkins
Shaun Kalmeier
Tiger Newling
