2025 NWSHA Representative season

Call for EOIs for representative Coaches, Managers and Selectors 

We are planning for the upcoming representative season and are seeking expressions of interest from association members to fill the following roles: coaches, managers and selectors. For more information about the key responsibilities and requirements for each role, please read the information below before submitting your Expression of Interest:

Coaches

NWSHA Coaches and Assistant Coaches are responsible for team preparation and the development of players, both on and off the field. They plan training sessions, prepare for games, and help players improve their skills. Coaches also act as role models and help create a positive team culture.

NWSHA Coaches and Assistant Coaches must have a valid WWCC (Working With Children Check).

It is expected that NWSHA Coaches and Assistant Coaches will need to dedicate a minimum of 3 hours per week through the representative season - this includes planning and training, and dedicated time for the duration of tournaments/carnivals.

Key Responsibilities (including though not limited to) -

• Planning: Create training sessions that are appropriate for the players' age, experience, and knowledge. Plan for future games and training sessions by analysing past performances and games.
• Teaching: Provide technical guidance to players and help them improve their skill and team play. Teach players about positioning, structure, team play, and strategies.
• Preparing: Prepare the team for games, including by analysing past games.
• Leading: Provide growth, development and leadership opportunities for all players; appoint a captain or leadership group.
• Creating a positive culture: Create an inclusive team culture that values all team members and emphasises well-being and good sportsmanship. Effectively manage issues as and if they arise.
• Being a role model: Be a strong role model and mentor, especially for young players.
• Creating a safe environment: Ensure the safety and welfare of players at all times.
  
  

Managers

NWSHA Team Managers are primarily responsible for managing the off-field logistics and player welfare of a team, ensuring smooth operations during training, competitions, and travel (where relevant). They coordinate communication between players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders, all while prioritising a positive team culture and the wellbeing of all players.

NWSHA Team Managers must have a valid WWCC (Working With Children Check).

It is expected that NWSHA Team Managers will need to dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per week through the representative season, as well as dedicated time for the duration of the tournaments/carnivals.

Key Responsibilities (including though not limited to) -

• Administrative tasks:
  - Maintaining player rosters, contact details, and medical information.
  - Managing team registration, fees, and paperwork.
  - Completing necessary match reports and statistics.
  - Coordinating with the NWSHA Group Coordinator/Representative Committee regarding schedules and regulations.
  
  
• Logistics and Travel Planning (where needed):
  - Managing team kits, equipment distribution and collection for hand over back to NWSHA at the end of the representative season.
  - Coordinating team events such as team dinners etc...

• Player Support and Welfare:
  - Communicating with players regarding team updates, schedule changes, and important information.
  - Promoting a positive team culture and fostering team spirit.
  - Addressing player concerns and providing support. Use the NWSHA support systems that are available to teams to assist in the management of emergent issues.
  - Supporting the coach to monitor player health and injuries, coordinating with parents / guardians / medical staff when necessary. 
  
  
• Communication and Liaison:
  - Acting as a key point of contact between the coach, players, parents, officials, NWSHA and Hockey NSW.
  - Communicating with referees and tournament organisers regarding game logistics and issues during tournaments/carnivals.
  - Keeping the coach informed about player availability and any off-field concerns.
  
  
• Game Day Management:
  - Ensuring players are properly dressed and ready for competition.
  - Submitting team lists and managing substitutions (where required by the team coach).
  - Liaising with the technical bench and managing any on-field issues in tendem when required with the team coach.
  
  
• Team Building:
  - Contributing to team building activities and fostering positive relationships within the team/squad.
  - Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor and upholding high standards of communication and conduct.
  
  

Selectors

NWSHA Representative Selectors are responsible for identifying and selecting NWSHA representative teams. They are independent of the teams that they are selecting and they use evidence based decision making criteria to guide their selections. 

NWSHA Representative Selectors must have a valid WWCC (Working With Children Check). They will also be required to sign a NWSHA Confidentiality Agreement.

It is expected that NWSHA Representative Selectors will need to dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per trial session. 

Key Responsibilities (including though not limited to) - 

• Identify talent: Use the resources provided by NWSHA to assess players who are trialling for selection.
• Ensure fairness: Follow the NWSHA selection policy to ensure a fair and equitable process. 
• Promote inclusion: Create a culture that supports players and other stakeholders to contribute their best to the selection process.
• Communicate selection processes/outcomes: Share selection processes, strengths and areas for improvement with relevant stakeholders as required. Work with coaches to understand their perspective pre/post selections and communicate outcomes with coaches post selections. 
• Experience: It is expected that selectors will have significant experience in hockey. This experience may present in various ways; however, when combined, the competencies, knowledge and personal qualities required for the role are important features that together will be considered for the role of selector.
  
  

Calendar of events

NWSHA strives to provide a range of preparation modes for its representative athletes. The calendar of events that assist our teams to successfully prepare for State Championships needs to take into account a range of important factors. These include things such as:

• having enough events so that our teams build effective on and off field cohesion, and so that game play can be refined and practised.
• providing a schedule that when combined with other hockey commitments (ie. club and or higher representative honours), does not overload families/athletes with things such as time/physical load.
• considering reasonable travel and cost commitments for representative members.
• supporting our member clubs by utilising all of the available facilities within our association where possible.
  
  

Key dates 

Trial dates are in the process of being finalised and will be made available shortly. These will be communicated via email and social media channels.

Training and preparation events for each team are also being finalised and will be made available in draft form when the trial dates are published.

2025 Field State Championships will be held this year predominantly across May / June:

Submitting your EOI

Please complete the following form by Sunday 09 February to submit your EOI for involvement in the 2025 Representative season as a Coach, Manager or Selector. We understand that Managers are most often parents of players in teams and so we will make this form available again for those considering assisting in a managers role post team selections.  

We strongly encourage and welcome those who have been involved in these roles previously to apply again for this season.