For parents and carers of children aged 5 to 12 starting Hockey Australia's Hookin2Hockey junior entry program in 2026. Covers ages, registering, free trials, what a session looks like, equipment and the registration pack, stick sizes, and moving on to junior club hockey.
Hockey Australia's Hookin2Hockey Games Guide describes the program as Australia's national junior program for kids aged 5 to 12 years old, and its games are written for that age range. The program teaches the fundamentals through fun games.
Hockey Australia's outdoor hockey page describes Hookin2Hockey as a fun introduction to the sport for children aged 10 and under, so the published age range varies slightly between its own sources. Junior club hockey, the next step, covers ages 5 to 18.
Sources: Hookin2Hockey Games Guide 2025 (https://www.hockey.org.au/hookin2hockey/club-resources) and https://www.hockey.org.au/play/outdoor
Hookin2Hockey is Hockey Australia's national junior entry program. It is delivered by clubs, associations, schools and sports centres all around Australia, with an emphasis on fun, making friends and safely building physical literacy skills in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
It is flexible and runs all year round, so unlike club competitions it is not limited to the winter season. Hockey Australia also runs APM All Abilities Hockey for children of all abilities (https://www.hockey.org.au/community/apm-all-abilities-hockey).
Programs run all year round across Australia, so there is no single enrolment window. Each program is registered through its own Register link in the Program Finder.
Usually, yes. Hockey Australia says most Hookin2Hockey providers let children come along to a free session before signing up. Programs are flexible and can be anything from a one-off come-and-try session to a 12-week program, so you can pick the length that suits your family.
If you cannot find a program near you, email hookin2hockey@hockey.org.au and Hockey Australia's support team will help locate a program or club.
Sessions are built around fun games that teach the basics. Hockey Australia's 2025 Games Guide sets out an example 8-week program where each session is 45 to 60 minutes and runs roughly like this:
The weekly focus in the example program is: week 1 come and try, then dribbling, passing, receiving, stealing, attacking, defending, and finally game play. Hockey Australia stresses fun and learning rather than winning.
Each provider sets its own length and day, so check the session time in the Program Finder when you register. Programs can range from a one-off come-and-try session to a 12-week program.
Sources: Hookin2Hockey Games Guide 2025 (https://www.hockey.org.au/hookin2hockey/club-resources) and https://www.hockey.org.au/hookin2hockey/club-finder
Hockey Australia sizes sticks by the player's height:
| Stick length | Player height |
|---|---|
| 28 inch | below 122 cm |
| 30 inch | 123 cm to 128 cm |
| 32 inch | 129 cm to 136 cm |
| 34 inch | 137 cm and above |
Measure your child's height and pick the matching length when you order the pack.
The Hookin2Hockey equipment pack contains:
You can buy the pack as part of your registration, or by emailing support@hockey.org.au. Register before the start date so the pack can be delivered in time for the first session. The pack does not include a mouthguard.
Hockey Australia's Returns and Refund Policy covers returning a pack or seeking a refund.
Yes. When you fill out your child's participant registration there is an option to say you are willing to help on the field or off the field. You can also tell your program coordinator that you are interested in helping.
Hockey Australia also offers free HockeyEd education for Hookin2Hockey providers, including a Hookin2Hockey short course, for adults who want to help deliver sessions.
Hookin2Hockey is Hockey Australia's junior entry program, and the next step is a local junior hockey club.
Sources: https://www.hockey.org.au/play/outdoor and the Hookin2Hockey Games Guide 2025.