JUNIOR COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
2024
2024 JUNIOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIALS
Thank you to everyone who nominated to be a part of the North West Lightning Junior State Championship teams. We are excited about the development of our club and the opportunities that exist for players across our zone. The Lightning mantra is ‘creating pathways for aspiring players’ with the Academy and JSC being the two major events for our junior players.
Attendance at trials is compulsory: All players are required to attend the trial this Sunday to be considered for selection, except for those players in the Under 16/18 State teams or Academy.
When: Sunday 21st April 2024
Where: Benigo Hockey Centre, 11 Ashley St, Ironbark (Bendigo)
Times: 9.00am – 10.30am Under 12 Boys & Girls East
10.30am – 12.30pm Under 14 Girls & Boys West
10.45am – 12.45pm Under 16 & Under 18 Boys East
12.45pm – 2.45pm Under 16 & Under 18 Girls West
Sign in: We ask that the athletes arrive 15 minutes before the trial. All players are required to sign in, collect a bib and number and try on uniform if required.
What to bring: The 7 S’s – shoes, socks, shin pads, skort/shorts, shirt (dark and white), stick, safety (mouthguard and facemask); drink bottle, sunscreen and snacks. Do not wear any State or Zone team shorts, skorts or socks. Equipment is not to be shared between players.
Tryouts: Will include drills to assess individual skills, small games and in some cases full field games. The exact format will depend on final numbers and will be communicated with players on the day. If you are a goalkeeper be prepared to trial for a field position as well.
Selection Criteria: Players will be assessed on passing skills (pushing, slapping, hitting), receiving skills (trapping), elimination/ball control skills, defensive skills (tackling, channelling), goal shooting skills, involvement, game awareness and accountability, temperament.
Selection Process: There will be at least two selectors appraising players in each team. No feedback will be given. Players will be expected to meet the selection criteria to be considered. The Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 teams will consist of 16 players, including 2 goalkeepers, while the Under 12 teams will consist of 8 – 10 players, including 1 or 2 goalkeepers.
If a player is unable to attend their trial, they must advise the Zone Coordinator the day prior to the trial. (nwlhc.junior@gmail.com). The player may be considered for inclusion in their Zone team if there are not enough nominations. Playing history and club endorsement may be taken into consideration.
Announcement of teams: Teams will be released on the HV website by 5.00pm Wednesday 24th April. If selected, players will receive a link to the Lightning Webbook which will contain a congratulations letter within 48 hours of the teams being released and further information such as the cost/payment link, details on how to order uniform and optional items and the training schedule.
If your child is not selected there may be other opportunities with another zone and players will be contacted directly from Hockey Victoria.
Training
All players are required to attend each training session. Players unable to attend must apply for an exemption which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Players wanting to miss training for local matches will not be granted an exemption.
The other training sessions will be in Bendigo on the following dates:
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Sunday 26th May
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Sunday June 2nd
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Sunday June 23rd
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Tuesday 2nd July (Under 12) TBC
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Thursday 4th July (Under 14 & Under 16)
Training Dates for Under 18
All players are expected to play in the Senior Country Championships in Melbourne from Saturday 8th – Monday 10th June. Fundraising will offset the cost of travel, accommodation and some meals and we anticipate it costing no more than $150 for the weekend. Other dates will be determined later in the year.
Uniform Sizing: There will be sample sizes of the playing uniform and optional uniform at the training session. Players will have the chance to change the size of the playing top that was ordered at the time of nominations. This is the only opportunity to change the sizing and must be changed on the sign in sheet at the end of the trials.
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There is no cost to nominate or trial. If successful in gaining a place in the Lightning team there is a $415 fee for Under 14 – Under 18 and $340 fee for Under 12. The fee covers the officials’ payments, pitch hire, staffing, administration, first aid and other event related costs; training program including pitch hire, equipment etc.; coaching, zone administration and playing shirt or GK Smock.
North West Lightning Season Launch
If you are planning to stay Saturday night in Bendigo, we are having our inaugural Season Launch for the Metro senior and junior teams at the Bendigo RSL. The evening includes a meal from 6.30pm, followed by presenting the teams for Season 2024. Please text Angela if you would like to join in.
JSC Parent Information Sessions
We will be running a short information session at 10.30am and 12.30pm to give an overview of the trial process, selection, training expectations and the opportunity to ask any questions.
Just Hockey
Just Hockey will be attending training on Sunday. If you have particular needs email Peter Morris p.morris@justhockey.com.au by 10am 19th April to make sure he is able to source, it for you. This is a great opportunity to stock up on your hockey equipment.
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The canteen will be open and sells pies, pasties, sausage rolls, dim sims, hotdogs, toasties, drinks and chocolate bars. If you are able to assist for an hour in the canteen, please respond to this email. We would hope over the course of the trials and training sessions that all families would help in the canteen, as the revenue goes back into the great facilities we use.
Contact Details: If you have any questions, queries, issues relating to this session or any other
matter, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Jane Finch or Angela Poxon
North West Lightning Zone Coordinator
0429143332 or 0428314219
