The Northern Inland Academy of Sport played host to the annual Inter-Academy Hockey weekend at the New England Hockey fields in Armidale last weekend.
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The weekend was the largest of its kind as NIAS athletes were joined by North Coast, Central Coast, Hunter and Western Region Academies of Sport.
The event was headlined by special guest coach and former Australian Kookaburra, Kieran Govers.
The weekend consisted of high-intensity skills and drills, strength and conditioning with thanks to the support of Matt Pine (Sport UNE) and finished with match play amongst Academies.
This was the second time NIAS has hosted this event and NIAS Hockey Head Coach Greg Doolan was thrilled with how the weekend panned out.
"To have five Academies attending the hockey camp is a real statement of how strong hockey is within the RASi network.
"All of these athletes underpin our Hockey NSW AAP program and it's exciting to see pre-elite hockey in NSW thriving to this extent".
All squads descended upon St Alberts College on Friday evening where athletes and coaching teams got to know each other over a barbecue dinner.
It was an early start on Saturday as one of the main priorities was to maximise the time spent on the turf with the special guest in town.
Saturday night saw all academy members and coaches head to the Armidale City Bowling Club for a buffet dinner where athletes had the opportunity to speak with Kieran Govers and gain further insight into his journey and get a solid understanding of exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level and become a Kookaburra.
"I absolutely love coming out into the community and giving back to the sport that has given me so much.
"Whilst I made it to the top and represented my country at the Olympics, I am acutely aware of the development that was offered to me through my time within the RASi network, with the Illawarra Academy of Sport" Govers said.
The NIAS squads will break over Christmas and meet again in the new year as they prepare for the Your Local Club Academy Games in Newcastle come April.
PROFILE: Amber Barnden-Hyde
Hometown: Uralla
Sports Program: The Glen Innes & District Services Club Netball program
How long have played netball for? Coming up to about my 9th year of playing netball and two years at NIAS.
Highest achievement? I've had the opportunity to represent Armidale at State Champs for several years which has been a great experience. Representing the academy at Academy Games and Academy Challenge are great achievements.
Favorite athlete? Sharni Layton, a former Australian Netball representative, Sharni provides great motivation as I play in the same position.
What are your goals?To learn as much about the game of netball. To be a powerful and strong defender in the game that I love.
