Individual skills within a team culture
Be part of a winning program that holds an enviable reputation for excellence in hockey in the past five years, supported by the College’s success in securing the 2017, 2018 and 2019, 2021 and 2022 Champion TAS Titles. (The 2020 season was not held due to COVID)
WestMAC Hockey Director Neil Shearer has cultivated a strong and supportive hockey culture for over five years. WestMAC offers hockey programs which have successfully mentored Olympic gold medalists Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.
Students thrive in a strong team culture, where individually every player can work on developing and perfecting their skills and maximising their talent, whether club and regional representatives or non-club players. Opportunities await players from a young age to create an enjoyable balance of building individual skill sets within a thriving team culture.
Mr Shearer has enjoyed a highly respected coaching career as the former Regional Coaching Director of Ipswich Hockey and Rockhampton Hockey associations. A priority has been to improve every players’ basic skills specially designed for younger players, who play hockey in Junior School as part of JTAS (Years 4 to 6) and then from Year 7, when students relish the opportunity to represent WestMAC in the TAS competition (Senior School). He said this coaching philosophy was implemented to create productive and successful sides, which have become famous for their strong WestMAC team spirit.
“As players improve their skills, the more they enjoy the game and this makes for a happy team and happy coach,’’ Mr Shearer said. “Our students play with pride in representing WestMAC, they show passion and desire to succeed and play for each other.’’
Highlights
- In 2022, 3 premierships, including the Firsts premiership, 1 champion TAS hockey school trophy.
- TAS Champion hockey school 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
- Olympic mentoring coach, and program director Neil Shearer.
- Olympian Jade Close mentoring firsts.
In previous years WestMAC has secured 2012 Olympic striker Jade Close to coach the Firsts team, exposing players to top-level training drills and strategies in a high performance environment.
“I’ve been impressed with the WestMAC players focus and spirit and enjoyed being part of a first-class hockey program.’’ Ms Close said.