Wellington Hockey along with the Officials Advisory Group are pleased to share the key dates for officials ahead of the 2026 season, outlining opportunities to prepare, connect, and continue developing throughout the year.

The 2026 Officials Calendar includes a mix of pre-season briefings, development sessions, competitions, and social catch-ups, supporting officials across Open Grade, Secondary School, and Junior hockey.

Pre-Season Preparation

Umpire registrations for 2026 Winter Season will open in early February, with a range of briefings and refresher courses scheduled through March to help officials get ready for the season ahead.

The following briefings are mandatory, in person at the National Hockey Stadium (NHS). Officials intending to officiate in these competitions are expected to attend, as these sessions cover key competition-specific information and expectations.

• 6 March – Hockey Nines Tournament Briefing

• 11 March – Open Grade Umpires Briefing

• 22 April – Secondary School Umpires Briefing

These in-person briefings are important to ensure consistent understanding of competition expectations, interpretations, communication approaches, and local processes, while also providing an opportunity for discussion, questions, and connection within the officiating community.

Additional pre-season opportunities include:

• 8 March – Officials Pre-Season Get Together

• 16 March – Umpires Refresher Course | Hutt Valley

• 17 March – Umpires Refresher Course | National Hockey Stadium

These sessions focus on expectations, updates, and confidence-building before competition begins.

Competition Start Dates

Officials can also begin planning around confirmed competition start dates for 2026:

• Summer Hockey: Super Sixes and Classic Elevens (27-28 January)

• Hockey Nines Mini-Tournament: 7-8 March

• Open Grade Competition: 21–22 March

• Secondary School Competition: 1–7 May

• Junior Hockey: 2 May

These dates provide a clear timeline for officials to manage availability across different competitions and preparations for the season ahead.

Development & Support During the Season

Throughout the season, Wellington Hockey will continue to offer development and support opportunities for officials at all stages of their pathway.

Upcoming sessions include (but not limited too):

• 23 April – Junior Umpires Launch Session

• 29 April – Secondary School Umpires Refresher Course | National Hockey Stadium

• 2 May – JUMP Day

• 5 May – Introduction to Judging | Hutt Valley

• 6 May – Introduction to Judging | National Hockey Stadium

• Late May – Online Officials Workshop (Special Guests TBC)

• 13 June – Officials Mid-Season Catch-up

These sessions are designed to support learning, build confidence, and strengthen connections within the officials community.

Looking Ahead

Further details, including times, venues, and registration links, will be shared in early 2026. Dates remain subject to change, and any updates will be communicated via our website and socials.

Wellington Hockey looks forward to another strong season of officiating in 2026 and we thank all officials for the vital role they play in our competitions. We encourage all current and aspiring officials to save these dates and get involved.

If you have any questions surrounding officiating in Wellington, please contact Kieran at kieran@wellingtonhockey.org.nz