Does a junior team need a goalkeeper, and what must they wear?

Default. Every junior team must play with a goalkeeper in a different coloured shirt, wearing at least protective headgear, leg guards and kickers. The FIH option to play with all field players does not apply, and a team that cannot field a goalkeeper forfeits the game.

Exception. Teams in J 9/10 Divisions 1 and 2 and J 11/12 Divisions 1 and 2 may choose either a goalkeeper (dressed as above) or only field players with no one having goalkeeping privileges. They can switch between the two options by substitution at a break in play. In these divisions a goalkeeper is treated like any other player, including when carded.

Injury. If a goalkeeper is injured or incapacitated, the team must replace them with another player wearing the protective equipment. The game may be paused for up to 10 minutes while that happens.

Cards. In teams that must play a goalkeeper, a card to the goalkeeper means the team captain serves the suspension, although the card is recorded against the goalkeeper.

Team size. A junior team can have up to 16 players, and forfeits if it has fewer than 7 players on the field at any time.