Junior Hockey Grade Format

This is an exciting, hands-on hockey programme designed for children aged 5-6 years who are new to hockey.

We offer an advanced and beginner grade for Fun Sticks. They play with a modified ball (light balls).

The beginner grade is for kids new to hockey. They do a fun sticks training session followed by a 20-minute game in a 6-a-side format against other clubs and schools. They play on 1/8 of a turf.

The advanced grade is for kids who have played in this grade before and are now in their 2nd year of hockey. In the advanced grade, teams play 2 x 20-minute games in a 6-a-side format against other clubs and schools. They play on a 1/8 of a turf.

Mini Sticks play in a 6-a-side format, with 1 x match split into 2 x 20-minute halves against other clubs and schools.

They play on a 1/4 of the turf. During this time, they should be rotating positions on the field. They play with a modified ball (light balls)

Mini Sticks normally play at 8 am or 8.50 am on Saturday mornings.

Kiwi Sticks plays a 6-a-side format: 1 x match, broken into 2 x 20-minute halves, against other clubs and schools. They play on 1/2 a turf.

During this time, they should be rotating positions on the field.

Goalkeepers can be optional in this grade, and hitting, penalty corners, auto-pass, and standard hockey balls are introduced.

Kiwi Sticks normally play at 8 am or 8:50 am on Saturday mornings

The Kwik Sticks competition is split into Development and Premier/Experienced grades.

Development-grade games are 6-a-side and played on 1/2-size hockey turfs.

Premier/Experienced-level games are 11-a-side and played on full-size hockey turfs, with standard hockey rules.

Kwik Sticks game start times are usually between 9.30-11.40 am on Saturday.