Centre of Development (COD) is Hockey NSW's largest annual participation program open to boys and girls across NSW from 10 to 14 years of age.
This year, nine Parkes players participated in the summer training program with five travelling to compete in the 2025 Regional Challenge in Tamworth.
COD provides an opportunity to participate in fun and engaging hockey activities and games to enhance hockey skills in a social, fun and enjoyable spring to summer program.
At the end of the COD program all participants are invited to a three-day fun, games-based event which was this year held in Tamworth from 28 February to 3 March.
In Parkes, nine hockey players were coached by Dane Hendry during the 10 training session summer program.
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"Each of the 10 sessions focuses on particular skills, passing, running the ball, shooting and tackling," Dane said.
These players were also a part of a regional training session held in Parkes during November where 46 kids from Bathurst, Dubbo, Lithgow and Orange trained together.
An additional regional training session was held in Bathurst in February.
All of theses players are a part of the Western Stars.
There are 10 other teams around the state who take part in the same program.
Oscar Hendry, Harrison Rowbotham, Locky Harbidge, George Hendry and Thomas Wilkinson were the five Parkes players who headed to Tamworth to attend the 2025 Regional Challenge.
Oscar, Harrison and Lockey played in the Under 14 Western Stars team during the challenge and George and Thomas played in the Under 12 Western Starts team which Dane coached during the challenge.
"All five boys played well in very hot conditions," Dane said.
Games played on the Saturday afternoon of the challenge were cancelled due to the high temperatures.
Both teams played well, winning more games then they lost but the challenge is not about winning.
During the challenge teams competed in a mixture of eight-a-side half field games and fast fives which is played on a much smaller field and is surrounded by rebound boards.
"The program is a great way for kids to develop as hockey players over summer, with a focus on skills and team play," Dane said.
"They also get exposed to tactics, rules and umpiring, as well as specialist skills."
Dane highly recommends the COD program for kids wanting to improve their hockey and stay active outside of the hockey season.
"You can see the improvement in skills and confidence. They then take that into the hockey season that's about to start," Dane added.
The Parkes hockey season is set to start in April, with registrations now open for Parkes Junior Hockey players.
If you are not sure if hockey is for you head out to the Parkes hockey fields on Saturday, 22 March to have a go at hockey during a come and try day.
More details can be found on the Parkes Junior Hockey Facebook page.
