Help Shape Waikato Hockey’s 2026 Season!
22/10/2025
Planning for the 2026 season is well underway, and we want to hear from everyone
Intermediate games are played on a Friday evening from 4.30pm. Games are held across satellite turfs in the Waikato, visit the locations here.
2026 Registrations close: TBC – Team entries are done through the school into PlayHQ.
Players and Team Management are all required to register in PlayHQ – Team links available through your school coordinator.
PlayHQ info night: TBC
The session will be recorded and sent to those who register on PlayHQ.
2026 Fees will be available once set for the WHA Board.
2024 Half field rules – Intermediate without keeper
2024 Half field rules – Intermediate with keeper
All mini and intermediate grades will be rearranged a couple of times during the season to ensure teams are playing in evenly matched grades.
All intermediate hockey is played as half field games. There will be two modules run this season:
Half field increases the development of all players involved in the game. The advantages of this include:
They won’t learn how to play half field: We are focused on player development. Smaller teams means increased involvement for every players in the game. The same tactics and skills used in 6 aside are also used in 11 aside.
9 Players to a game
(10 when including a goalkeeper)
6 Field players on the field
Goalkeeper is a seventh player*
We strongly encourage rotation of playing positions for all players. This encouraging development of different, transferable skills and conceptual understanding across all players.
Half field
Standard goals
3 x 15 min. periods
5 min. breaks between each period
Boys and girls mixed
No-Goal keeper: Beginner and Development grades
Goal keeper: Development and Competitive grades
Scores kept for grading purposes only
No finals/trophies
6 Players and a keeper on the field
10 Players per team
We strongly encourage rotation of playing positions for all players.
This encourages development of different, transferable skills and conceptual understanding across all players.
The standard rules of hockey apply with the following modifications:
No penalty strokes
Long corners 5m out of top circle
Development and Competitive grades
The standard rules for penalty corners apply with the following modifications:
Three defending players to start from opposition circle
A penalty corner should be taken within 30 seconds of being awarded
6 Players on the field
No goalkeeper can be added
9 Players per team
We strongly encourage rotation of playing positions for all players. This encourages development of different, transferable skills and conceptual understanding across all players.
The standard rules of hockey apply with the following modifications:
No penalty strokes
Long corners 5m out of top circle
The ball must not be raised above “top of the shin pad” height at any time
Beginner and Development grades
The standard rules for penalty corners apply with the following modifications:
Three defending players to start from opposition circle
A penalty corner should be taken within 30 seconds of being awarded
With the large number of teams we are using every turf space available, this will mean you can be playing at one of the following venues, please treat each venue with respect and PLEASE make sure all rubbish (empty drink bottles especially) are put in the rubbish bins.
Please remember to follow all Parking instructions at ALL sites. Running late, No parks left DOES NOT mean you can park in restricted areas. Allow extra time in case you need to park further away and walk 2 min to the ground!
Open view all locations here.
Planning for the 2026 season is well underway, and we want to hear from everyone
Friday night Summer Hockey For our Year 6, 7 & 8 players (plus up to
Waikato Hockey – Junior Division Needs You! Love hockey? Want to make a difference? The
Waikato Hockey Association
Gallagher Hockey Centre
Innes Common, PO Box 820, Hamilton
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