Sutherland Hockey Club enters junior teams in these age groups in winter hockey competitions each year: Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17. With great team spirit and kids enjoying playing hockey, we will field 14 junior teams in 2021.
All junior teams are made up of girls and boys.
All players require a hockey stick, shin pads, a mouth guard (mandatory), and a club uniform for competition games.
Age groups
The age of players is taken as at 1 January each year. For example, for a player to play in an Under 13 team, they must be under 13 years of age on 1 January for that particular year.
Following trials and elections, teams began weekly 1-hour training sessions in March ahead of the start of the competition. The training sessions are usually held on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoons, depending on the team coach’s availability.
Competitions
Most Sutherland teams play in the South East Hockey Association competition, while our top Under 15 and Under 17 teams play in the Sydney Metro comp.
As these competitions provide draws for the competitions, they will be distributed to team members by their coaches and managers.
There are no junior hockey games scheduled for the Easter and June long weekends, nor on the middle and end weekends of the April and July school holidays.
All about junior hockey at Sutho
Under 11:
- Play modified half-field hockey competition games with 8 players on the field
- Games are played with a Joey ball that is a little softer than a normal hockey ball
- Junior competition games are played on Saturday mornings between 8 am-12:30 pm, with the Under 11 games usually scheduled between 8-10 am
- Games are played at our home ground at Sylvania as well as other hockey fields in southern Sydney (Bankstown, Daceyville, St George/Kyeemagh and Moorebank).
Under 13:
- Play full-field competition games with a normal hockey ball and 11 players on the field
- Competition games are played on Saturday mornings between 8 am-12:30 pm
- Games are played at our home ground at Sylvania as well as other hockey fields in southern Sydney (Bankstown, Daceyville, St George/Kyeemagh and Moorebank).
Under 15:
- SEHA competition – games are played predominantly on Saturday mornings, although there may be a few Friday evening games
- Games are played at our home ground at Sylvania as well as other hockey fields in southern Sydney (Bankstown, Daceyville, St George/Kyeemagh and Moorebank)
- Metro competition (elite hockey) – games are played on Friday evenings from approximately 6:30 pm at hockey fields across Sydney (except Sylvania).
Under 17:
- SEHA competition – games are played on Friday evenings from approximately 6:30 pm at hockey fields in southern Sydney (except Sylvania)
- Metro competition (elite hockey) – games are played on Friday evenings from approximately 6:30 pm at hockey fields across Sydney (except Sylvania).
Flying high, Metro-style
Schools Gala Day
Sutherland Hockey Club annually hosts a Schools Gala Day for primary schools. In 2019, over 20 teams competed from schools across Sutherland Shire and St George. The day was not held in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Gala Day is usually scheduled for the last Tuesday in Term 3 from 8:30 am-3 pm.
The Gala Day is a great way for kids to enjoy representing their primary school and non-hockey players are encouraged to participate. The competition provides a great introduction for new players to hockey in the lead-up to our Schools Summer Competition in Term 4.
There are normally two divisions, with some 10 teams in each division:
- Junior Primary (Years 3-4)
- Senior Primary (Years 5-6)
Games are played on quarter fields with sideboards, and teams have 6 players on the field. There are no goalkeepers in the Junior Primary division, however, there are goalkeepers in the Senior Primary division.
If needed, Sutherland Hockey Club can provide some coaching guidance for teams on the day.
Team nominations are due mid-August. The cost in 2019 was $80 per team. There are canteen facilities available all day.
Like to nominate a team? Details will be sent to schools as soon as the proposed competition arrangements are completed.
Schools Summer Competition – Term 4
For over 30 years, Sutherland Hockey Club has hosted a 6-a-side junior hockey Summer Schools Competition in Term 4. It has introduced thousands of young players to hockey, including many of our past and current elite junior and senior players.
The competition aims to introduce hockey skills to children, encourage physical activity, build sportsmanship and school spirit and – most importantly – have fun.
The competition commences in Week 1 of Term 4 and continues through to the end of November.
The competition runs across three afternoons from 4 pm to 7 pm each week involving the following grades:
- Mondays: Infants (Years K-2) & Junior Primary (Years 3 & 4)
- Tuesdays: Senior Primary (Years 5 & 6.)
- Wednesdays: High Schools.
Teams can be all girls, all boys or mixed. We aim to ensure that teams are placed in a division with teams of similar abilities. All standards are catered for, with several divisions within each grade. In prior years, the teams have been predominantly mixed, girls and boys, but this is not required. Schools can enter multiple teams in each grade.
Being part of a team from your school is the most desirable entry into the competition, but social groups are acceptable.
If you want to play in the competition but cannot form a team, our Club will help you find one.
The cost to participate in the competition in 2019 was $70 per player. There was no event in 2020. Active Kids vouchers can be used: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-active-kids-voucher
How to get involved?
Details will be sent to schools’ Sports Teachers as soon as the proposed competition arrangements are completed.
If you would like further information about junior hockey at Sutho: juniors@sutho.com.au