Coach and Game Facilitator (umpire) Workshops: tbc
Mini (year 3-6) begins on the: 3rd of May
Mini No Play: 31 May (Kings Bday), 21 June (Matariki) 5 and 12 July (School Holidays)
Mini Ends: 30 August
Rainbow (year 1-2) begins 10 May
Cambridge Mini (year 3-6): dates tbc
2025 Registrations close: 11th April 2025 – 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.
2025 PlayHQ info night: 3rd April 6:00pm
Register on PlayHQ
The session will be recorded and sent to those who register on PlayHQ.
Team Entry Fee information was set by the WHA Board in 2024, information about the changes can be read here: https://www.waikatohockey.org.nz/wha-notice-fee-increase-levy-for-2025/
The 2025 registration fees and annual facilities levy per team will be as follows:
Besides the rules for the grades and the guidelines, Waikato Hockey has a rule that ONLY players and the Coach/Manager are to be on the field ALL other supporters must be behind the field fences.
2022 Quarter field rules – Mini Kiwisticks Development
All mini and intermediate grades will be rearranged following games on the 23rd of May and 28th of June to ensure teams are playing in evenly matched grades.
Mini Hockey is a Saturday morning winter competition for Primary school children in Years 1-6.
In the Mini programme Years 3-6 teams play 6-a-side hockey.
There are different divisions for Mini Hockey.
The Rainbow programme is run across two venues to cater to families on both sides of Hamilton. This is for year 1 and 2 children and involves skill development and small sided games.
There will be a training session for Coaches of Rainbow teams prior to season starting, date TBA (8am, no children required) . Please meet on Turf 1, HA. Bring hockey stick and a note book should you wish to take notes.
The Rainbow Funsticks program will begin the following week. WHA will provide coaches to work with team coaches for some sessions (dates TBA). This will be explained in more detail at the coaching session on 29th April. The Rainbow Funsticks program includes 20 min coaching prior to a 20 min game.
WHA will provide a WHA Coach to lead the training sessions on selected dates. On the other dates the school team coach is to lead the training portion of the Rainbow session, using the drills that WHA provide prior to the session, Ben will also be floating on these days for any assistance/questions.
6 Players in a team*
4 Field players on the field
No goalkeepers
Twelfth field
20 min coaching prior to game (provided by WHA most weeks, format TBC)
Two goals each side
20 min game
Totaling 40-45 min
Boys and girls mixed
No grades
No scores kept
8-9 Players in a team*
6 Field players on the field
No goalkeepers
Quarter field
Two mini goals each side
2 x 13 min. periods
2 min. breaks between halves
Boys and girls mixed
Beginner, Development & Advanced divisions
No scores kept
No finals
9 Players in a team*
6 Field players on the field
No goalkeepers
Quarter field (no Half field 2021)
One mini goal each side
2 x 13 min. periods
2 min. breaks between halves
Boys and girls mixed
Beginner, Development & Advanced divisions
No scores kept
No finals
We strongly encourage rotation of playing positions for all players. This encourages development of different, transferable skills and conceptual understanding across all players.
*Recommended team size
Mini hockey is played at either the Gallagher Hockey Centre or St Pauls Collegiate.
GHC: Parking can be an issue here so look for alternatives, around lake domain and even at the Train Station, both within a 5 minute walk.
Exiting GHC (Mary St ONLY) can be a struggle at the best of times. If traffic is busy PLEASE don’t sit at the Mary St intersection and try to turn right , go left cross the railroad and look to use a side street to change direction.
St Pauls: Carparking is available near the turf if the carpark is full park on the road outside the school DO NOT park on grassed areas.
And PLEASE make sure all rubbish (empty drink bottles especially) are put in the rubbish!
These will be uploaded to Play HQ. This is used purely for grading purposes. More information and training to be provided.
Each team is to provide an umpire / game facilitator, with a whistle, for their own game who may also be the Coach.
Umpires are to stay on the same field that they are umpiring on. They are not to position themselves on an adjoining turf.
School Hockey | Start Dates for 2025
2025 season info from WHA Board
Mini Coaching – Workshop 3
Positive Vibes Only 2024Waikato Hockey Association
Gallagher Hockey Centre
Innes Common, PO Box 820, Hamilton
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