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.