The 2009 – 2010 Hunter Academy of Sport hockey talent development squad recently started its program of activities with an orientation meeting and initial training session at the Newcastle International Hockey Centre.

The squad has a series of training sessions set down for the later part of this year and the early part of 2010.

These Sunday morning sessions will run from 9am to 12noon on November 8 (Taree), November 22 (Newcastle), December 6 (Wyong), February 7 (Newcastle), February 21 (Maitland), March 7 (Newcastle), March 21 (Wyong) and March 25 (Maitland).

Interspersed with their on turf training sessions, the squad will have a number of education sessions with various Hunter Academy consultants.

The youngsters participating in this academy hockey program include: Mitchell Brown, Lambton; Nicholas De With, Merewether; Jacob Dearing, Mount Hutton; Estelle Hughes, Lambton; Tom Duck, Hamilton South; Jake Grosskreutz, Hamilton North; Kiarni Lowe, Swansea Heads; Joshua Trickett, Maryland; and Jordan Willott, Floraville.

NSW Institute of Sport head coach (in hockey) Judy Laing is also assisting with the program and Judy’s contribution to the planning of the 2009 – 2010 program has been of immense value.