As the Jillaroos’ preparation for December’s FIH Junior World Cup ramps up, there was a time final yr that might show to be a key instigator in Australia’s U21 Women’s Hockey Team’s possibilities of profitable the showpiece occasion for the primary time.
In the early levels of 2022, Jillaroos Head Coach Stacia Strain sat down with Hockey Australia National Pathways Manager Andrew Collins and Women’s National Athlete Pathway Coach Mark Hager to plan a Jillaroos schedule main as much as the 2023 Junior World Cup.
Upon her appointment, Strain needed to not as a lot as give the nationwide junior ladies’s hockey program an overhaul, however construct a tradition, values system and expectations of what the Jillaroos stood for. To set up a legacy platform so any athlete that got here into the Jillaroos program had a transparent understanding of what being a part of the Jillaroos was about and the privilege that comes with it.
During these planning discussions, a possibility arose to take a bunch of athletes and assist employees for a camp in Alice Springs in Australia’s Red Centre.
Strain jumped on the probability and in late August, 22 athletes got here collectively within the coronary heart of Australia for a mixture of hockey, private and crew improvement classes.
The objective of the camp was based mostly across the overarching goals of the Jillaroos program which embrace:
• profitable the 2023 Junior World Cup,
• serving to to develop and transition athletes into the Hockeyroos program,
• creating gamers holistically and equipping them with expertise to develop character and a way of crew, in flip enabling the athletes to positively contribute and achieve success in any excessive efficiency atmosphere.
The camp was additionally about encompassing the Jillaroos’ approach of play and rules, constructing a crew tradition and rising connections and chemistry among the many group.
This onus on a Jillaroos identification and unity was accentuated with an intention to positively contribute to the expansion and improvement of hockey within the Northern Territory, coupled with a possibility for studying and schooling about Aboriginal tradition and what it means to be Australian and signify the nation.
The camp took in cultural schooling at Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and studying about bush tucker and bush drugs at Standley Chasm.
To inform the story of the Jillaroos and its values, native Indigenous artists painted two hockey sticks for the Jillaroos to tackle all camps and journeys as a reminder of what they’re a part of and what the Jillaroos represents.
Strain mentioned the camp was one of the fulfilling and rewarding hockey experiences she has had in her life.
“We wanted to re-think how we develop our athletes and what we prioritise in their development,” mentioned Strain.
“While nurturing future Hockeyroos is our goal, our responsibility is much more than this. It is to also provide an environment where our young women can grow and develop with a greater understanding of themselves and each other.”
“Alice Springs is a magical place and the center of Australia in each a geographical and metaphorical sense and it supplied a possibility to create robust, significant connections. Connection with one another and connection to nation.
“This camp was a huge part of beginning to create our identity, purpose and belonging to the Jillaroos.”
“The athletes and staff totally embraced all aspects of the camp and left with positive memories that will last a lifetime, coupled with a greater awareness and understanding of themselves, each other, Australian history, and culture.”
“There was noticeable progress within the information, understanding and execution of expertise within the hockey part of the camp.
“Off the pitch, the actions and atmosphere supplied the chance for the employees and athletes to get to know one another away from hockey and construct deeper connections, which in my view, is essential to crew success.
The majority of the camp was held on the Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, a venue devoted to inspiring change via the schooling, ecotourism and occasions market.
“I cannot recommend Earth Sanctuary and the staff highly enough,” mentioned Strain.
“Earth Sanctuary is run by a hockey household initially from Victoria, so there’s little question their real love of hockey contributed to the vitality and dedication they needed to our group.
“In addition to organising the cultural activities, food, campsite and overall experience, they went above and beyond to give the group a memorable and lasting experience.”
Three of the gamers who attended the camp (Grace Young, Maddison Brooks and Alana Kavanagh) have since gone on to play for the Hockeyroos. Current Hockeyroos squad member Tatum Stewart, who missed the camp due to damage, may be added to that record, highlighting the strides being made within the nationwide junior ladies’s program. The expertise in Central Australia arguably additionally had a constructive impression.
Seeing the superb impression the camp had on the travelling occasion, Strain mentioned taking a Jillaroos group to the Red Centre is one thing she would love to begin making a practice of.
“Hopefully this is something we can continue to do in the future as the personal and team growth within the Jillaroos squad was obvious for all to see, along with an authentic interest and desire to learn about Indigenous culture and Central Australia,” mentioned Strain.
“It was unique and invaluable with both mental and physical aspects that we will all carry forward to future Jillaroos camps in the lead up to the Junior World Cup, as well as life in general.”
“We noticed a commitment, energy and focus from players at all hockey sessions, noticeable improvement in the understanding and execution of Jillaroos principles and way of play. There was a real enthusiasm and engagement of the group to all aspects both on and off the pitch.”
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