Junior Competition Grades (School Years 3-8)

Mini Sticks (Year 3 & 4) - fees are still to be set for the season 

Mini Sticks is a Year 3 & 4 grade played on either a Friday evening or Saturday morning. Mini Sticks teams can be either single gender or mixed gender on both days. They play on ¼ turf for 3 periods of 12 minutes, with 6 players on the field at a time. We expect teams will be made up of 9-10 players to allow for fair playing time, sickness cover and meaningful training sessions.

This grade is designed to introduce kids into game play either transitioning from the fun sticks programme or being new to the sport. We aim to place players in their respective school year allowing them to progress through the grades with a similar core group of players.

Mini Sticks train in their teams at Foster Park, matches can take place at any of Canterbury Hockey’s venues. We do try our best to accommodate kids with their friends where possible, however we believe some of the best friendships can be made through sport too so it’s great to be surrounded by a diverse group. 

Kiwi Sticks – (Year 5&6) - fees are still to be set for the season

Kiwi Sticks is a Year 5&6 grade played on either a Friday evening or Saturday morning. Kiwi Sticks teams are single gender. They play on a 1/2 turf for 14 minute thirds. 7 players are on the field at a time including a goalkeeper. Teams will be made up of 10-12 players to allow for fair playing time, sickness cover and meaningful training sessions.

This grade is designed to develop game play on a slightly larger field than Mini Sticks. Rules start to be enforced more and goalkeepers are introduced. There are also non-goalkeeper grades. Unless a player clearly states they want to play as a goalkeeper this position is rotated around the team to give everyone a chance to learn a new skill. We aim to place players in their respective school year allowing them to progress through the grades with a similar core group of players. 

Kiwi Sticks train in their teams at Foster Park. We do try our best to accommodate kids with their friends where possible, however we believe some of the best friendships can be made through sport too so it’s great to be surrounded by a diverse group. 

Kwik Sticks - (Year 7&8) - fees are still to be set for the season 

Kwik Sticks is a Year 7&8 grade played on a Saturday Morning. For the 2026 season there is a new grade on Sunday mornings.

Kwik Sticks teams are single gender with 7 players (including a goalkeeper on the field at a time). They play on a ½ turf for 3 periods of 16 minutes, there are rolling substitutions. Teams will be made up of 10-12 players to allow for fair playing time, sickness cover and meaningful training sessions. This grade is designed to prepare players for the 11 a-side format of the game in year 9 by enforcing all hockey rules and more game concepts.

We take on board feedback from previous coaches to create well balanced teams giving every player the chance to thrive and develop in their environment. Kwik Sticks train in their teams at Foster Park. We do try our best to accommodate kids with their friends where possible, however we believe some of the best friendships can be made through sport so it’s great to be surrounded by a diverse group.