Hockey Accelerators Programme

Hockey Accelerators is Canterbury Hockey’s pre season skill development programme for players in Year 5 to Year 13.

The programme is designed to help players sharpen their skills, build confidence, and feel more prepared heading into the winter hockey season. Sessions focus on individual development, with players working through a range of technical skills and game based activities in a positive and engaging training environment.

Hockey Accelerators is delivered across age specific groups, including Year 5 and 6, Year 7 and 8, and Year 9 to Year 13. This allows players to train alongside others at a similar age and stage of development.

The programme runs for five weeks during February and March, with players attending one hour sessions each week. Sessions are delivered on either Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the age group and programme schedule.

Players can expect to work on skills such as ball carrying, elimination, passing and receiving, defending concepts, goal scoring, and decision making. Specialist goalkeeper training is also provided for goalkeepers.

Canterbury Hockey aims to provide a high quality coaching environment for Hockey Accelerators. Sessions are delivered by quality coaches, including many who are involved in Canterbury representative programmes, National Hockey Championship teams, and, where available, players connected to the New Zealand hockey system.

Hockey Accelerators is suitable for players of different experience levels who are looking to improve their skills and start the season feeling more confident and prepared.