Player Extension Programmes

Alpiners Academy

Programme Overview

The Alpiners Academy is a performance-focused development programme designed to elevate athletes preparing for JHL, Canterbury representative hockey, and higher-level competition. Delivered by Canterbury Hockey in partnership with the Alpiners, the programme provides a structured, challenging, and supportive training environment for players ready to take the next step in their development.

 

Athletes will train with purpose, build strong performance habits, and be stretched in a competitive environment that values growth, learning, and enjoyment. This programme is for players who are motivated to improve their game and invest in their long-term development.

 

When

19 January – 18 February
Monday and Wednesday, Nunweek Park

 

Junior Academy: 4.30pm – 6.00pm
Senior Academy: 6.30pm – 8.00pm

 

Who

Open to athletes who are 15 years or older as of 1 January 2026, and competing in one of the following competitions:


• SSP
• Division 1
• CPL
• JHL
• NHC

 

What’s Included

The Alpiners Academy is delivered by Canterbury Hockey’s coaching and performance staff, working alongside Alpiners coaches to provide a high-quality training experience.

 

Participants will receive:


• 10 x 90-minute turf training sessions
• Integrated on-turf conditioning every session
• A structured 10-week conditioning programme
• Specialist PCA and PCD skill development
• Specialist goalkeeper coaching
• Access to a connected chat group for shared content, session themes, and weekly reviews
• An Alpiners Academy training tee

 

Cost

  • $350 for athletes attending two sessions per week

  • $200 for athletes attending one session per week

If payment at the time of registration is a barrier, athletes are encouraged to contact Canterbury Hockey to discuss an alternative payment plan.

 

Player Profile and Development Focus

Each athlete will receive an individual one-page player profile during the programme. This profile is designed to support ongoing development and will include:


• An overview of the athlete as a player
• Key strengths
• Clear areas for improvement
• Targeted development focuses to guide the next phase of training

 

This profile is intended to help athletes understand where they are at and what they need to prioritise moving forward.

 

Enquiries

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Aaron Ford via email - aaron.ford@hockeynz.co.nz

 

Canterbury Performance Centre (CPC)

 

The Canterbury Performance Centre (CPC) replaces the Senior Development Network Programme, with the aim of the new CPC structure and purpose to be more aligned to the HNZ/Blacksticks programme through the guidance of Aaron Ford, Hockey NZ Performance Coach.

 

The CPC provides high-quality development opportunities for Canterbury’s current CPL, Division 1 and SSP players. To be eligible for Block One of the programme you must be year 11 or above.

 

The Centre aligns with Canterbury representative and Hockey NZ pathways. Aaron Ford will be the lead coach, assisted by Canterbury Hockey’s Talent Development Manager, Chris Leslie, and other nominated coaches.

 

Aim

The primary aim of the CPC is to develop well prepared players that are:

  • Technically skilled
  • Tactically smart
  • Mentally prepared
  • Physically capable
  • Have life balance

 

Programme Timing and Delivery

There are two training blocks.

Block One (5 weeks): November to December

Block Two (6 weeks): January to February

 

Training Environment

For training purposes players will be divided into a senior group (CPL) and a development group (Division 1 and SSP). CHA has discretion to move players if required.

 

Cost

There is a financial contribution required to join the Centre.

 

Enquiries

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call Chris Leslie on 027 29333 11 or email him via chris@canterburyhockey.org.nz

Hockey Accelerators Programme

 

The purpose of this programme is to provide all participants with an opportunity to improve their skills. The programme caters to participants of all abilities, beginner or experienced, from Year 5 to Year 13.

 

The programme is run pre-season in February and March.

 

The skills covered will include the likes of ball carrying & elimination, passing & receiving, defending concepts, and goal scoring.

 

Specialist goalkeeper specific training will also be provided.

 

Participants will be exposed to a range of fun hockey activities delivered by various quality coaches.

 

Year 7 Festival Day

The Year 7 Festival Day will be held on Saturday 12 September in Timaru.

 

This festival will involve teams from Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury.

 

The festival will be played in a 7-a-side format, providing players with a fun and development-focused tournament experience.

 

Teams will be created by Canterbury Hockey following the registration process. Trainings will begin approximately three weeks prior to the festival.

 

Registrations will open at the start of Term 3.

Year 8 Festival

The Year 8 Festival will be held from Friday 25 September to Sunday 27 September in Christchurch.

 

This festival will be played in an 11-a-side format and will involve teams from Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury. We also hope to include teams from Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast. This event provides players with an opportunity to experience and understand an 11-a-side game format for the first time.

 

Teams will be created by Canterbury Hockey following the registration process. Trainings will begin at least three weeks prior to the festival.

 

Registrations will open at the start of Term 3.

 

Canterbury Hockey is excited to confirm details for the 2026 U13 and U16 Development Camps. These camps provide players with a development-focused hockey experience outside of their regular club and school environments. Sessions will include skill development, game-based learning, small-sided activities, and a final-day hockey festival.

Each camp includes two half-day sessions and one full-day festival.

 

Registration

 

Registrations for the U13 and U16 Development Camps will be completed separately through PlayHQ.

The cost to attend the Development Camp is $100.00. This includes turf hire, training gear, coach and umpire development/support, and administration costs.

 

To register: Click Here

 

Athlete registrations close at midnight on Sunday 21 June 2026.

 

U16 Development Camp (Y9+)

Players must:

  •          Be in Year 9 or above at school in 2026 & be under the age of 16 as of 1 January 2026
  •          Play for a club or school team in Canterbury Hockey’s winter competitions

Times/Dates:

  •          Monday 13 July, half-day session (Boys 9am-12pm, Girls 1pm-4pm)
  •        Tuesday 14 July, half-day session (Girls 9am-12pm, Boys 1pm-4pm)
  •          Friday 17 July, full-day festival (9am-4pm)

 

U13 Development Camp (Y7/8)

Players must:

  •         Be in Year 7 or 8 at school in 2026
  •          Play for a club or school team in Canterbury Hockey’s winter competitions

Times/Dates:

  •          Wednesday 15 July, half-day session (Boys 9am-12pm, Girls 1pm-4pm)
  •          Thursday 16 July, half-day session (Girls 9am-12pm, Boys 1pm-4pm)
  •          Friday 17 July, full-day festival (9am-4pm)

 

If you do not meet the above criteria for either age group but would like to enquire about registering, please contact joe@canterburyhockey.org.nz.

U16 Representative Programme

There have been two major changes to the U16 representative space heading into 2026.

 

The first change is the shift in age group from U15 to U16. The second is the introduction of a new U16 National Tournament by Hockey New Zealand.

 

Under Hockey New Zealand rules, each association is only able to send one team per gender to the U16 National Tournament. Canterbury Hockey will select one boys team and one girls team to attend this event.

 

Players who wish to be considered for selection in the U16 National Tournament teams will need to attend trials. These trials will take place at the start of Term 3, with dates to be released soon.

 

Players who do not wish to trial for the U16 National Tournament teams, or who trial but are not selected, will still have the opportunity to be involved in the U16 representative programme through the U16 Southern Regional Tournament.

 

There will be no further trials for the U16 Southern Regional Tournament teams. Players will be allocated into teams at the discretion of Canterbury Hockey.

 

U16 National Tournament

 

The U16 National Tournament will take place from Saturday 3 October to Wednesday 7 October 2026.

 

The boys tournament will be held in Auckland, while the girls tournament will be held in Christchurch.

 

Both Canterbury teams will travel and stay together as a team for this tournament.

 

U16 Southern Regional Tournament

 

The U16 Southern Regional Tournament will take place from Monday 5 October to Friday 9 October 2026.

 

This event will include teams from across the South Island, including Buller, Central Otago, Marlborough, Mid Canterbury, Nelson, North Otago, Otago, South Canterbury, Southland and West Coast.

 

Players who are not selected for the U16 National Tournament teams, or who do not wish to trial for those teams, will be allocated into teams for this tournament.