Young hockey players across the Wellington region now have the chance to sharpen their skills ahead of the 2026 season, with registrations officially open for Wellington Hockey Association’s Summer Development Programme.

The programme begins on Monday 2 February 2026 and runs for seven weeks, with all sessions held at the National Hockey Stadium on NHS 1, 2 and 3 only. Training takes place from 5.00pm to 6.30pm, giving athletes a 90-minute session each week with quality coaching and goalkeeper-specific development.

The programme is open to U14, U16 and U18 players, with training days assigned by age group:

• U14s: Wednesday

• U16s: Tuesday and Wednesday

• U18s: Monday and Tuesday

WHA’s Pathways and Performance Manager, James Birkefeld, says the programme is a valuable opportunity for players wanting to hit the ground running next season.

“This is the ideal way for young athletes to build momentum before their school and rep campaigns,” Birkefeld said. “The programme offers a structured, high-energy environment that helps players grow their confidence and take real steps forward in their development.”

Registration costs for 2026 are set at:

• U14s: $145 per player (7 sessions)

• U16s / U18s: $290 per player (14 sessions)

With strong interest expected across all age groups, WHA encourages participants to secure their spot early.

Registrations are now open on PlayHQ:

https://www.playhq.com/hockey-new-zealand/register/c98ea1

For further details, contact James at james@wellingtonhockey.org.nz.