It’s that time of year!!

Orange Hockey Incorporate (Junior Sub Committee) are now seeking Expressions of Interest for players for our 2024  Orange Hockey Representative Teams in all age groups these being Under 12's, u14's, u16's and U18's in both boys and girls for each age group.

A focus of Orange Hockey Junior Representative Teams is to establish a positive team culture with an emphasis on well-being.

Key dates for each state championship in 2024 is noted below, before considering nominating for a team please ensure that you will be available to attend the relevant state championships. At this stage Hockey NSW are still in negotiations as to where each championship will take place. However there has been a change in format for Opens and u18's as the championships have been split into divisions and both the men and women will be at the one venue based on their division.

There will also be Western Conference carnival which the Under 12's, 14's and 16's Boys and Girls teams will attend. The dates for this one day carnival has not been confirmed and as soon as it is available we shall notify the Orange Hockey community via our facebook page.

Please also note if you are intending on nominating for the u12's teams that these teams will be competing in the York Cup and Kim Small Shield in Tamworth which it is anticipated will be on the 1st weekend of the June/July school holidays (date to be formally confirmed) with such tournament running from Thursday to Monday .

Event                                                                                     Dates                                                   Location

Under 18 Division 1                                                          26 - 28 April 2024                              NWSHA - Pennant Hills

Under 18 Division 2 & 3                                                   26 - 28 April 2024                              MSW - Narellan

Under 14 Boys                                                                   10-12 May 2024                                 Manning Valley

Under 14 Girls                                                                   17-19 May 2024                                 Wagga Wagga Combined

Under 16 Girls                                                                   14-16 June 2024                                Bathurst Hockey Association

Under 16 Boys                                                                   21 -23 June 2024                               Grafton Hockey Association

We confirm that Orange Junior Hockey will be holding the selection trials for the respective age groups on the following dates:-

1st Trial is to be held on Sunday 25 February 2024

U12 Boys and Girls from 3.00pm to 4.00pm 

u14 Girls and Boys from 4.00pm to 5.00pm

U16 Girls and Boys from 5.00pm to 6.00pm

u18 Girls and Boys from 6.00pm to 7.00pm

2nd Trial is to be held on Tuesday 27 February 2024

U12 Boys and Girls from 4.30pm t0 5.30pm 

u14 Girls and Boys from 5.30pm to 6.30pm

u16 Girls and Boys from 6.30pm to 7.30pm

u18 Girls and Boys from 6.30pm to 7.30pm

If for any reason you are unable to attend the trials then you are required to email: ojhi.rep@gmail.com with a request for an exemption in accordance with the below policy.

We look forward to hearing from all our new players and also returning representative players for 2024

Please take note of the below information contained within the Orange Hockey Representative Guidelines and Selection Policy dated 10 August 2022 which ar relevant to the selection process. For full Guidelines and Selection Policy click on the link below:

PBTR word document (revolutionise.com.au)

9. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for selection in an Orange Hockey Representative Team, the following conditions apply:

9.1. The player must be a currently registered and a financial playing member of Orange Hockey Association.

9.2. Attendance at the relevant trials, if held, is compulsory for selection unless an exemption has been granted by the selection panel prior to the date of trial.

9.3. Athletes must comply with any rules of eligibility applied by Hockey Australia that relate specifically to the tournament or event for which they are being selected. For example, any rules relating to gender, age restrictions, performance, or specific skill parameters.

9.4. Players from other associations may be considered for selection if there are not enough players available from the Orange Hockey Association and they have the appropriate clearance from their home association.

If an Orange member would like to play for another Association:

9.5.1. They are required to nominate themselves for the respective (including age) Orange team and attend trials. If they are not selected or if Orange, as a result of insufficient player nominations or attendance at trails, do not send a team to the event/Championship, then the player may be given a clearance to play for another Association.

9.5.2. Other situations may be considered on case-by-case basis.

9.6. Players eligible for Open Teams must have played a minimum of 5 (five) matches in the Orange local competition or played in an Orange based Central West Premier league team.

9.7. Players who have moved to Orange and are registered to play in the Orange local competition or the Central West Premier League for an Orange based team may choose to trial for Orange or their origin town.

10. EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS

If a player is unable to attend the relevant Selection Event/Trial and wishes to stand for selection, they must request an exemption.

The requirements for requesting an exemption are:

10.1. Requests for exemptions must be made 72 hours prior to the date and time of the trial, to the Selection Panel with supporting evidence.

10.2. Requests for exemption must include evidence of the reason for the absence.  In circumstances where a player is injured or suffering an illness, a doctor’s certificate may be required.  In circumstances where a player has a work commitment, a supporting letter from his or her employer is required.  In the event of bereavement, or other extenuating circumstances, the Selection Panel will consider each case on its merits.

10.3. All athletes who are unable to attend the relevant Selection Event due to a commitment with a national hockey program or other Orange representative sporting duties will be granted an automatic exemption, however this must be advised to the Selection Panel.

11. CRITERIA FOR FIELD PLAYERS

11.1. Selection criteria are determined by Orange Hockey in consultation with the Hockey NSW Technical and Tactical framework where appropriate.

11.2. The following criteria will apply in the selection process used by the selectors and coaching personnel appointed by Orange Hockey in respect to the Orange Hockey Representative Teams/Squads:

11.2.1.Performance at events, selection trials, prior Field State Championships, Hockey NSW programs (within the twelve months prior to selection to the Squad) and any formal event observed by the coaching staff or selectors.

11.2.2.Physical Capacities – includes anaerobic, aerobic, strength and agility. Formal testing for all these attributes may not necessarily be performed. All athletes may be fitness tested during training as part of the overall selection criteria. Fitness testing will be used a guide only during selection. Guidelines can be found on the Hockey NSW website (https://www.hockeynsw.com.au/infohub/policies-guidelines/).

11.2.3. Technical Competence – core skills include receiving, distribution, offense, defence and set plays (penalty corners/strokes/1 v 1 shootouts/goalkeeping).

11.2.4. ‘Tactical Nous’ – Tactical Ability – includes reading the play, involvement in the game, on field decision making and positional flexibility. Ability to apply and utilise information provided by coaching staff and related to team or individual performance.

11.2.5.Potential to Improve – present performance level relative to past performances.

11.2.6. Competitive Ability – mental toughness, strength, temperament, determination, commitment, performing in adverse conditions, coping with setbacks/criticism and persistence. 11.2.7.Attitude – individual application in training and competition. Attendance, availability and ability to rehabilitate from injury.

11.2.8. Team/Squad Orientation – an individual’s ability within a team sport, to ‘fit in’ and influence the Team/Squad in a positive manner.

11.2.9. Communication – the ability of the player to communicate positively with staff and be open to accept suggestions from coaching staff regarding performance improvement. Athletes should be able to verbalise concerns regarding coaching and team issues in a calm, mature and non-emotive manner to allow for positive discussion to resolve problems.

If you have any questions regarding the trials please do not hesitate to contact ojhi.rep@gmail.com