Under 13 and Under 15 Regional Country VicStix

LATE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED

VicStix Program Aim

• Increase the opportunities, motivation and ongoing development of selected Under 13 and Under 15 country players
• Assist younger country players to reach their potential by having access to quality coaching and by playing competition for longer period of time
• Develop coaches, umpires and associated officials throughout Victoria and improve access to accreditation
• Minimise Travel for trainings (satellite trainings)
• Preparation for the Junior State Championships
• Provide identified players, coaches, umpires and team managers with a clear pathway towards state representation ; VicStix; Junior State Championships; State selection
• Create an interface between Hockey Victoria and local communities
• Improve the standard and quality of hockey in regional areas


The Vicstix Regional Country Program provides identified players in Victorian Country regions opportunities to develop, with a clear path towards improvement, and potential identification for State, VIS and National squads.  The program is regionally based with the main focus being on individual development. In some cases trainings will be conducted in small groups at various local venues to minimise travel for participants.

Program Overview

The VicStix Squads will consist of the following:
Squads of approximately 32 athletes, (16 boys and 16 girls) in both the Under 13 and Under 15 age groups and will be selected from combined catchment areas from the following zones:

Nominate for Official Positions

Head Coach Nomination Form

Assistant Coach Nomination Form

Squad Manager Nomination Form

 * Not currently affiliated with Hockey Victoria

Program Outline

When:
• November- March (same months as Current VicStix program)

Model:
• 1 Training per month in regions (may include satellite venues) in October, November
• 1 Training per week in regions (may include satellite venues with coaches allocated to each zone) Feb-March
• Country VicStix Interzone carnival, teams come together one weekend on March 20th-21st 2010 to play each other as a lead up to Junior State Championships
• Squads continue to train monthly together. A team will then be selected from this squad to compete represent their zone at the Under 13 & Under 15 Junior State Championships

Who:
• An Under 13 and Under 15 representative squad from each country zones selected at zone trials

Trials:
» Trials will be conducted in each zone in November 2009

Athlete Selection
Pre-requisites to trial for the Vicstix Program are based on performance, commitment and potential. Selection criteria will include the following:
• Participation / performance in club competition
• Participation / performance in regional / state competitions

Identified athletes may be invited and may nominate to attend selection trials occurring within each regional catchment area.

Hockey Victoria will appoint a selection panel for each regional program and will conduct selection trials according to Hockey Victoria policy.

Age Eligibility

As the Vic Stix program leads into the Junior State Champs in 2010, nominating players need to be Under 13 or Under 15 on 1/1/2010 to be eligible for the zone Junior State Championships team in 2010.

If a player is Under 17 on 1/1/2010 they will be eligible for the Under 17's zone team in 2010 and we recommend that they trial for the Under 17 Junior State Championships in September next year. Trials for these will be conducted mid 2010.

Athlete Support
Athletes within the program will be supported by the following officials:
• Head Coach
• Apprentice / Assistant Coach x 2
• Team Manager

Coach Program
Each Vic Stix athlete squad program will be co-ordinated and conducted by the Head Coach with the assistance of two Apprentice / Assistant Coaches and/or satellite coaches. It is a requirement that the Head Coach holds a current Development Coach accreditation in order to assist the development of local coaches or is willing to undertake the accreditation.

The Head and Apprentice Coaches attend planning meetings with the appropriate VIS coach to discuss program requirements and receive professional development.

Coaches are required to submit a program plan to Hockey Victoria and VIS Coach prior to the commencement of the program.

Head Coaches are required to conduct a least 1 level 1 coaching course within their allocated catchment program area.

Squad Manager Program
Each squad is supported by a Manager to offer assistance and admin support.  Managers are  required to attend a planning meeting with the Hockey Victoria appointed Mentor Team Manager to discuss relevant issues and receive professional development.

Review
All Regional Pathway Squad athletes and officials are required to participate in a program review at the conclusion of the program. The review will consist of a combination of written reports and review meetings as outlined by Hockey Victoria guidelines.

NB: The VicStix program will not be conducted in the Metropolitan zones


Nominations for officials, players and coaches will close October 20th 2009.