Welcome to Western Districts Junior and Youth development program for girls and boys alike, the Westie-Sticks!
Whether you're a new player, little hockey legend, parent, guardian or something in-between, Westie Sticks is a refreshing way for younger ones to enjoy their hockey. With the help of New Zealand Hockey, here at Western we've remodelled our hockey development to prioritise fun, exploration, individual successes and skills. Teaching our young ones the importance of enjoying the sport, taking little wins in life, teamwork and self-progression will help them not only in hockey, but for the rest of their lives! So if you're keen to learn a little more, or want to get started, you're in the right place.
The third most played sport in the world, hockey players enjoy the sports social, technical and fitness benefits! 2 billion people can't be wrong, right?
With 16 people in a hockey team, there's something, and someone, for all our players. These amazing friendships, bonded through competition and play can last across grades, through representative hockey and for a lifetime!
Learning to play hockey is more than just hitting a ball. Amongst other things, it teaches co-ordination, confidence, teamwork, conflict resolution, determination and emotional management. There's also access to our more advanced Skills Sessions and Holiday Programmes for those who have the drive to go further.
We believe helping one another leads to bigger successes for everyone. Youth players will enjoy a buddy system with players from our Premier teams, as well as guaranteed allotments every year into those Premier teams. Juniors will benefit from the inspiration of some of our Youth volunteers as they assist our coaches.
Here at Western, we pride ourselves on the family-friendly and safe club facilities that we provide to our club members. A high quality game turf ensures safety on match day and Juniors train in our unique indoor shed, sheltered from the winter weather.
There's something incredibly satisfying about the ability to swing a stick at something. Hockey, cricket, baseball, gold, hurling, lacrosse, softball, polo and so many other sports and activities have this great feature in common. Hockey, though, adds more teamwork and athleticism than most for a well-rounded, enjoyable and competitive sport.
Here are the benefits the Westie Sticks bring you and your little champion!
Fun, friendship & development
For our younger generations, we need to ensure children have positive experiences playing hockey. Our programmes focus on fun, friendship and developing personal skills to last them a lifetime. Our WESTERN pillars ensure fun is always our first thought and we encourage you to join our ethics.
Our family-oriented club
If you've ever been to the club you'll have noticed our hockey whanau volunteering, supporting, playing and being a massive part of what makes our club amazing. We're proud to be able to create a safe space where children can play while parents play, and to support one another unreservedly.
Player progression
Western has set up systems that ensure children have a pathway to the successes they're willing to work towards. From guaranteed spots in Premier hockey for Youth players, structured Junior and Youth grades to high-quality coaching and opportunities, we strive to provide the best for all our players.
A place to relax
We're proud to run one of the only clubs in Auckland with their own indoor training shed, café and bar facilities. So whether your child is playing on the wet-dress turf or training indoors, you can stay dry and socialise with a fresh cup of coffee!
A multi-gender sport
Hockey sees men's and women's fully supported all the way to the top levels. With teams in every grade, playing at Western will ensure your child, regardless of gender, will have a path to progress as far as they're willing.
Get invoved, regardless of your ability
Western encourages parents & players alike to get involved in the sport as much as they're able. We've seen parents become great coaches and even follow their children's enjoyment to pursue their own hockey career!
Player Progression
From the first time they pick up a hockey stick we aim to give your children the best possible chance to succeed, limited only by their own commitments to their progression. Below you'll find descriptions of Auckland hockey's Junior and Youth grades as well as player pathways into Senior hockey.
Junior Hockey
Fun-Sticks
Fun-Sticks are our Year 1 & 2 mixed teams, filled with coaches who are excited to make hockey fun, energetic and social!
Mini-Sticks
Mini-Sticks are our Year 3 & 4 mixed teams who still prioritise fun and engagement, but ensure your children are learning new hockey skills, too!
Kiwi-Sticks
Kiwi-Sticks are our Year 5 & 6 mixed teams. Coaching, still based on fun, starts to develop their hockey senses as well as reinforcing skills.
Kwik-Sticks
Kwik-Sticks are the last grade before Youth. Year 7 & 8 mixed teams see them move to full-field and develop their mental game while having fun doing it!
Youth Hockey
Youth Championship
The Youth Championship grade feature children from Year 9 to 13. Coaches focus on ensuring the basic skills are reinforced and the players learn more about what it takes to be dynamic, structural, confident and proactive, and how to love hockey while doing it! Players here at any age will be in a great environment to improve and enjoy their sport.
Youth Premier
The Youth Premier grade is the top team in our Youth programme and also ranges from Year 9 to 13. Typically featuring the slightly older, more experienced players, this is the highest Youth competition that Auckland Hockey offers through the club system. High achievers here are encouraged to involve themselves in Premier hockey and often end up as permanent members there before they finish Year 13.
Senior Hockey
Senior Division
Senior hockey grades offer amazing opportunities for children of any skill level. Newer player can easily fit into the lower grades and play alongside coaches who focus on the development of basics and encourage exploration whereas more experienced players may enter into some of the higher grades before continuing their journey upwards where it becomes more competitive.
Premier Hockey
Premier grades are the pinnacle of New Zealand hockey's rankings with the Premier teams featuring Black Sticks and elite athletes alike, and the Reserve grade a staging ground to develop and encourage hockey for up-and-coming players. Players coming from the Youth Premier grade often begin their senior hockey exposure in the Reserve grade before earning their spots with the Premier team.
Programmes
In terms of development programmes outside of the Winter season, Western offers two main ones - the Development Academy and the Have-A-Go Day. Read more about them below!
Development Academy
The WDHC “Development Academy” is run over the summer to develop and encourage our young players both experienced and new to hockey to not only play the best hockey that they can but also to love hockey as much as we do! The programme has evolved to cater for all kids and young adults who would like to play hockey - regardless whether you’ve never played before or if you're in representative teams! We take pride in prioritising fun, exploration, individual successes and skills to ensure each child makes improvements over the course of the programme. The training programme covers everything from basic to advanced skills, nutrition, warm up, down and stretching, match tactics, leadership, communication, teamwork and friendship. Along with representative coach Vic Methven, we are fortunate to have secured the coaching services of NZ representative players who have all coached at school, club and/or representative levels and we are very fortunate to have them coaching at Western as well. Their combined experience of playing and coaching allows them to teach players across many ages and skill levels but all with the aim of helping our players to improve and be their best. Players are taught systems, techniques and skills that will help them not only in hockey, but for the rest of their lives!
Details
Continuing on from the success of the last few years' expansion, the programme includes U23s, Youth, Intermediate and Junior players and is a combination of skills and games sessions. The games sessions also double as grading games/trials and there will be Youth and Junior Coaches and Selectors watching to help grade players for the winter season. All sessions will all be held at Avondale College, Gate 3, Rosebank Road, Avondale.
Game Sessions (Trials/Grading)
These are open to any Primary, Intermediate and High school students looking to play winter hockey at Western Districts this season. This includes both new and experienced players so feel free to bring along a friend or two. The game sessions serve as a chance for the coaches to grade the players into the correct level for their age and skill level.
Dates & Times
Session 1 - ACADEMY
DATE:
23 February, 2025
Juniors/Intermediate (1-6/7-8):
4.30pm
Youth (9-13):
5.30pm
Session 2 - ACADEMY
DATE:
02 March, 2025
Juniors/Intermediate:
4.30pm
Youth:
5.30pm
Session 3 - ACADEMY
DATE:
09 March, 2025
Juniors/Intermediate:
4.30pm
Youth:
5.30pm
Session 4 - ACADEMY
DATE:
16 March, 2025
Juniors/Intermediate:
4.30pm
Youth:
5.30pm
Session 5 - GAMES SESSIONS
DATE:
23 March, 2025
Juniors (1-6):
4pm
Intermediate (7-8):
4.45pm
Youth Girls (9-13):
5.30pm
Youth Boys (9-13):
6.30pm
Session 6 - GAMES SESSIONS
DATE:
30 March, 2025
Juniors (1-6):
4pm
Intermediate (7-8):
4.45pm
Youth Girls (9-13):
5.30pm
Youth Boys (9-13):
6.30pm
What you'll need
- A drink bottle
- We can provide hockey sticks for those who don’t already have one, but we do recommend you bring a mouthguard and shin pads if you have them as well
- We go ahead rain or shine so make sure you bring sunscreen and a rain jacket
To register
The Development Academy registrations are now over. If you're interested in playing hockey this year, please get in touch via the contact page and we'll make sure you're looked after!
If you're only trialling for a Western Junior or Youth team, just show up at one of the Games Sessions (Sessions 5 & 6) - no registration necessary.
Any questions
Please don’t hesitate to email wdhc.academy@gmail.com for more information
Have-A-Go Day!
Keen to come and try hockey before you sign up for the winter season? Each year in February we run a free Have a Go Day for all ages. Run by the Youth Committee with dedicated coaches, this is the perfect introduction to hockey.
Details
All sessions will all be held at Avondale College, Gate 3, Rosebank Road, Avondale.
Dates & Times
HAVE-A-GO
DATE:
23 February, 2025
START TIME:
3.30pm
Sessions will suit:
People wanting to give hockey a go for the first time, or those who haven't played for a number of years. People will be split into groups based on their age and experience to ensure everyone gets to participate at their own level.
Structure of session:
Skill development rotations - 45min (the amount of these stations will depend on numbers) 15min of games We are able to supply sticks on the day for you to borrow however you will need to have your own mouth guards
What happens afterwards?
Players who've enjoyed their Have-a-Go day can then join the Development Academy at their leisure. It will run directly afterwards, and allows children to enjoy, improve, and progress their hockey. Just ask any of the coaches on the day, or email us to join the the Development Academy sessions!
To register
The Have-A-Go Day registrations are now over. If you're interested in playing hockey this year, please get in touch via the contact page and we'll make sure you're looked after!
Any questions
Please don’t hesitate to email wdhc.academy@gmail.com for more information
