Hockey SA State and Zone Program Structure
Hockey takes a proud place within the Australian sporting landscape, with a rich history of success for Australians on the international stage. Large numbers of South Australian’s enjoy playing hockey, thoroughly immersing themselves in the challenge to improve their skills, fitness, and knowledge within the game.
South Australia’s athlete pathways are a continuum: participants enter, leave, progress or remain at a particular stage according to their ability, maturation, interest, opportunities, personal circumstances, and /or goals. Our focus is to provide opportunities for all players, officials and umpires to develop their connection, love of the game and lifelong engagement through many playing opportunities.
* Zone and State Team details are subject to change. Hockey SA has the discretion to amend details where necessary.
Explanation on State Team and Zone events -
The zones and zone teams are the first step of the zone program and the state selection process. South Australia has been divided up into 5 different zones.
There are two country zones - the North West Rangers and the South East Eagles. There are 3 metro zones - Eastern Saints, the Western Pirates and Southern Storm. Each zone has their own zone coordinator.
The zone coordinator will organise selections for the zone championships / zone carnivals.
Each zone has the freedom to organise this in their own way, as there are different logistical challenges per zone.
The zone championship / zone carnival is a competition between the 5 zones.
The U14 athletes play in a carnival (no winner) and the U16 and U18 athletes play in a championship.
Teams for these zone championships / carnivals are being organised by the zone coordinators. The zone championship / carnival is the first identifying event within the zone program / state selection.
Based on the zone championship / carnival and previous national championships, a squad of athletes per age group / per gender will be invited / identified to come out to this event.
During this camp, the athletes will train with the state / zone coaches.
During this event, the players will be evaluated for state selection.
Based on the zone championships / carnival and the first ZIC, a squad of athletes per age group / per gender will be invited / identified to come out to this event.
During this camp, the athletes will train with the state / zone coaches.
During this event, the players will be evaluated for state selection.
Based on the zone championships / carnival and the first ZIC, a squad of athletes per age group / per gender will be invited / identified to come out to this event.
During this camp, the athletes will train with the state / zone coaches.
Based on the Zone championships / carnival, ZIC and ZSC evaluations the state team will be picked.
The state team will start training together 8 weeks prior to a national championship. This team will train 2-3 times per week leading up to the tournament.
If athletes develop well over the year, but have not been identified in an earlier stage, a club coordinator / coach can write a recommendation to the zone coordinator.
The zone coordinator will then assess the situation and potentially recommend the athlete to Hockey SA to be identified during one of the ZIC’s or ZSC.
Frequently Asked Questions -
If an athlete is identified, this means that he or she is recommended by their zone coaches, zone coordinator or has been seen during an identifying event. Athletes who have not been identified are still in contention for state selection.
Identified athletes are not (yet) in a state team. During a selection event, a select group of athletes will be picked to represent Hockey SA. This is the first opportunity that athletes can get cut.
The group of athletes to get identified is limited. General skill development should occur at club level.
The identified group of athletes will work specifically on behaviours and skills that are required at state level.
Based on the different identifying events, a group of 20 athletes (maximum) will be selected for state training.
Hockey SA is not able to provide individual feedback to athletes that who have not been identified. With around 600 athletes in contention for identification, we are not able to create individual reports on each athlete. We recommend athletes to ask their club coaches what they can work on.
If you have not been identified during the zone championship or zone carnival, there is still a chance to get identified. In this case, your club / association coordinator should write a recommendation to your zone coordinator. The zone coordinator will assess the case and can recommend individual cases to Hockey SA.
In rare cases athletes can get invited to an identifying or selecting event.
If you have been identified for a ZIC or ZSC, but are not able to attend, you may be eligible to receive an exemption and invited out to the following event. The following weblink allows you to fill in an exemption for the ZIC or ZSC - CLICK HERE.
If you have a valid reason for not attending the event, you will receive an official reply that your exemption has been approved, followed by an invite to attend the following event. Alternatively, you may receive a reply denying your exemption.
Some points to understand –
- It is an expectation that all athletes attending ZIC’s, in the hope of achieving state team selection, attend every identifying event that is hosted by Hockey SA.
- Receiving an exemption is not a given.
- Not being able to attend an event will not have a negative impact on your state selection. However, the athlete will miss out on the opportunity to train and be seen by the state coaches.
- Receiving an exemption for a particular event does not guarantee you will receive an exemption for the following camp, if needed.
- Hockey SA and the selected State Team coaches have the final decision on which exemptions will be accepted and denied.
The ZIC and ZSC are not just identifying camps, but are also preparing athletes for the state program / national championships.