WAIKATO MINI HOCKEY

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2008

Super 14 Rugby is already underway, soooo… it won’t be long until the winter hockey season!

SEASON DATES

· Entries close Thursday 10th April

· First game Sat 10^th May

· No play at Queens birthday or during the July holidays

· Finals day September 13^th

ENTRIES

Entry forms will be posted to all schools but can also be downloaded from the WHA website www.waikatohockey.org.nz after 18^th March

FEES

Will be set at the meeting on Tues March 18^th.

These are likely to be similar to last year i.e. 6 a side $205

New 8 a side $275

Senior 8 a side $325

PRESEASON BEGINNER MODULES

“Have a Go at Hockey” preseason modules will run as follows:

Melville High School – Weds 19 & 26 March, 2^nd April

Hillcrest Normal School - Weds 19, 26 March & 2^nd April

Rototuna Primary – Weds 26^th March & Weds 2^nd April

Fraser High School - Thurs 27 March & 3^rd April

3.30 – 5.00 p.m.

These sessions are for children who haven’t played hockey before so they can “Have a Go” and see how they like it before the winter sports season begins. Sessions will be run by experienced coaches. Mouthguards and shinpads are essential. Some sticks will be available. There is no cost for these sessions.

Please register by phoning 838-0485 or email waikatohockey@xtra.co.nz

TRAINING FOR COACHES

Jack Clayton the Regional Development Officer is running two sessions this year. Coaches are encouraged to attend on either:

· Sat 5^th April 9 a.m. - 12.m. at Gallagher Hockey Centre

· Tues 15^th April 7 – 8.30 p.m.

Please register by phoning the WHA Office 838-0485

(bring sticks and wear comfortable clothing)

COACH HANDBOOK

Every coach will receive a Handbook with rules, housekeeping details, season dates, useful contacts and coaching tips

COACHING SUPPORT

Jack Clayton at Sport Waikato ph 838-2657

is the person to contact to help develop your coaching skills. Jack can visit schools to help coaches and school organisers.

UMPIRES

All 8 a side teams must have an umpire who is NOT also the coach. Umpires may be parents, or an Intermediate or Secondary student who may have begun their hockey years at your school.

Training sessions will be scheduled during the first competition morning and umpiring will also be discussed at the Coach training sessions.

Umpire support is available every Saturday morning.

SMALL STICKS

Once again this will run in a regular 30 minute time slot every Saturday morning. This is aimed at 4-6 year olds. Coaches will teach a range of skills and fun games. An indication of numbers with school entries would be appreciated so we can arrange enough coaches to work with these young ones.

USEFUL CONTACTS

WHA Office 838-0485 email waikatohockey@xtra.co.nz

Mini hockey chairperson – Sharyn Kerr Ph 838-0001

email alastair.sharyn@xtra.co.nz

Draws Convenor – Robyn Wells

Email robynanddave@xtra.co.nz

Representative Programme – Gladys Billing Ph 856-8016

email gbilling@ihug.co.nz

WAIKATO HOCKEY WEBSITE

www.waikatohockey.org.nz

For all information about draws, events and latest news

THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

WHAT GRADE SHOULD WE ENTER OUR TEAMS IN?

6 A SIDE JUNIOR

Is for players from Year 2-4.

Year 4 players who have several years of hockey experience or are natural athletes may be more suited to 6 a side senior teams. Games are played on a ¼ turf at Gallagher Hockey Centre

6 A SIDE SENIOR

Is aimed at Year 5-6 first time players, or those with some previous experience who don’t have the skills to participate fully in an 8 a side game.

Six a side senior also caters for schools who can’t get the numbers of children to field an 8 a side team. Usually this grade is divided into two pools as the season progresses. Games are played on a ¼ turf at Gallagher Hockey Centre,

If your coach is new to hockey, or not familiar with the rules of modern game we recommend entering in the six a side grade.

For 6 a side teams, the coach is also permitted to carry out the umpiring role, although we welcome the involvement of older students or parents as umpires

8 A SIDE NEW

For Year 5 & 6 players with some prior hockey experience. 8 a side teams require a coach familiar with the rules of modern hockey. Games are 30 minutes long on a ½ turf.

8 A SIDE SENIOR

This grade is aimed at experienced players, with experienced coaches. Games are 45 minutes long and played on a ½ turf at Gallagher Hockey Centre, which requires a good level of fitness. We expect 12-16 schools to enter teams in this grade. Teams in this grade are competing for the Milne Cup.

ALL 8 a side teams must have an umpire who is not the coach.

SMALL STICKS

After the popularity of our programme aimed at 4-6 year olds last winter, we will again be offering sessions every Saturday morning to cater for younger children. This will include skills and modified games. Team entries are not required for this, but an indication of numbers of children wanting to participate would be appreciated.