Frequently Asked Questions

2024 JUNIOR HOCKEY FAQ’s

What Equipment Do I Need?
A hockey stick, shin guards and mouth guard are essential. Shin guards and mouth guards must be worn on the field.
For matches, players will need a club shirt and socks which can be purchased at the club. Plain black shorts, or a skirt/skort complete the uniform. Normal joggers or special hockey shoes (not boots) are worn.
There is a ‘Just Hockey’ hockey shop at Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre to purchase equipment from: https://justhockey.com.au/

What Are the Age Divisions?
We participate in six age divisions – U6, U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18.
A player’s age division in 2024 will be determined by their age as at 1 January 2024
(eg, if player is 11 on 1st January 2024 they will play in U12 for 2024).

Are the Teams Mixed (Girls and Boys)?
Yes. Players participate in mixed team competition up to and including U18. 

What Competitions do Ryde Juniors Participate In?
All teams participate in competitions administered by North Area Junior Hockey (NAJH) and primarily involve clubs in the northern areas of Sydney. The two exceptions are our U14 Panthers and U16 Panthers (A grade) teams which participates in Sydney wide ‘Metro’ competition administered by a sub-committee of NAJH.

What Occurs in U6s & U8s?
Our younger members participate in a Minkey skills session on a Wednesday evening (5.30-6.30pm). These players are also able to participate in a 15 week (May-August) Saturday morning competition. This competition comprises shorter, modified games on a smaller field using a soft ball and is played in a carnival atmosphere – no competition points are recorded. 

Where Do We Play?
NAJH administered matches are held at Ryde, Pennant Hills (Pennant Hills Park), Gordon (Kuring-gai High School), Sydney Uni (Cumberland Campus at Lidcombe) and Cintra (opposite Concord Rugby Stadium). Metro competition matches are held at the above venues in addition to Sutherland, Moorebank, Kyeemagh, Homebush and Daceyville. Approximately one half of a team’s matches will be scheduled at our home ground at Ryde.

When Do We Play?
Junior hockey is scheduled either on a Friday night or a Saturday morning.
U14, U16 and U18 play on Friday nights and games are on at approx 6.30, 7.30 and 8.30pm timeslots. U6, U8, U10 and U12 play on Saturday mornings 8am and 12.30pm.
Exact times are not known until the draw is completed at the start of the season. (pls refer to NA website).

How Long Are The Matches?
U6 and U8 – two 15 minute halves,
U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 – four 14 minute quarters, 

When Does the Season Start and Finish?
The junior season commences on Friday 15 / Saturday 16 March to Friday 20 / Saturday 21 September 2024.
Minkey’s start on Saturday 27 April 2024 (TBC).
We do not play on the middle weekend of the school holidays.

Does Ryde Have More than One Team Per Age Group? If So, Are They Graded?
Yes. We usually have more than one team per age group and teams are graded based on selection trials. Our teams in each age group are named Panthers, Tigers, Lions, Jaguars and Leopards. In 2023 we fielded 13 junior teams plus 3 minkey teams.

What If I Have Other Commitments on a Friday Evening or a Saturday Morning?
This is often a dilemma and we appreciate too that some players have compulsory school commitments. What we ask is that players and families think carefully about their ability to commit to a team. If you proceed with hockey we ask that you advise your team manager of your availability in a timely way.

Further Information:
Website: www.rydehockey.com.au

Contact:
Richie Webster
Juniors President
E: vpjunior@rydehockey.com.au
M: 0432 630 240