Two young, talented, Altona Premier League players have been chosen in Hockey Australia and Hockey Victoria talent identification programs. Andrew Scanlon and Jessica Brennan have been selected in Futures Squads to try and develop young talent to eventually participate in higher squads. Scanlon, along with Premier League team mate, Josh Horton, was part of the gold medal winning Victorian U/18 Mens team at the recent National Championships. From that tournament, he was selected in the Hockey Australia Mens National Futures Squad.
Brennan represented Victoria in the U/18 Womens National Championships in Canberra recently, and she has been selected in the Hockey Victoria Womens Futures Squad. Both will participate in training programs with elite coaches in quality training environments which target the development of athletes on field through technical and tactical coaching and also the development of athletes physically and personally. Successful development during these programs may see players awarded VIS or AIS scholarships and potential selection in senior Victorian or National squads.
Club Chairman, David Burns, was proud of both players’ selection “We have always thought both players were very talented, so it comes as no surprise that they have been identified as future stars of the game. We are so proud of their achievements so far, and are confident they will continue their development to become fantastic players in the upper echelons of our sport”.
Altona Hockey Club members have been busy so far in the off-season, participating in various National championships around the country. Hockeyroos Danielle Schubach and newly appointed Womens Premier League coach, Greg Drake, as Assistant Coach, are over in Tasmania representing Victoria in the Australian Hockey League. Both were involved in Victoria’s victory last year in the competition, and are currently defending that title.
Burns also said “We have had so many members participate across a variety of age groups from under 12 all the way to a long time member in the Over 60s Mens side. We are a family club that is very proud of our inclusive and diverse membership base. When these players go away for National Championships, not only are they representing our club on a big stage, they are also bringing back vital knowledge, skills and tactics that further improve our club.”
So far in 2013, Altona players and officials were quite active representing the club at state level. Please find a list of players and officials involved below:
List of Altona Representatives:
Seniors
Victorian Vipers: Danielle Schubach, Taylah Brennan (Train On), Greg Drake (Ass’t. Coach)
U21 men: Chris Coleman, Harry Dolenc (Train on), Greg Drake (Ass’t. Coach)
U18 men: Josh Horton, Andrew Scanlon, Kieran Symons (Train on)
U18 women: Jessica Brennan, Ebony Pugh (Train on), Marc Richardson (Coach)
Juniors
U16 Girls Ebony Pugh
U15 boys: Heath McDonald (Train on)
U14 boys: Nicholas Vlassis, Will Harris (Train on), Katie Flatters (Physio)
U14 girls: Sarah Haslam, Ellen Polacsek, Chantelle Polacsek (Team Manager), Katie Flatters (Physio)
U13 boys: Joe Roberts, Nathan McDonald (Train on)
U13 girls: Sophie Martin, Rahda Butler (Train on)
U12 Boys Cooper Burns
Masters
Over 40 men: Ian Bartlett
Over 55 men: Peter Symons
Over 60 men: Peter Byrne
Over 35 women: Carrie Evans