Introduction to

Senior Hockey

Overview | Player Pathway | Premier | Premier Reserve | Division | Expectations & Commitment

Overview

Somerville Senior players participate in Premier and Division grades of the Auckland Hockey Association (AHA) Competition. The Club comprises of around 13 teams each season and players are of varying age and ability. Teams practice weekly, our Premier teams practice twice a week. Matches are played on Saturday or Sunday across six Auckland hockey locations. The season typically runs from April until August.

Premier & Premier Reserve Grade

The Premier teams are our flagship teams. They comprise of our top players, including current and past Blacksticks and National Hockey Competition (NHC) players.

Divison Grades

There are 4 Division grades. Teams selected across these grades comprise a mix of competitive and more social teams, which are predominantly adult players with a blend of some school aged players as well.

Senior Player Pathway

Player welfare & workload

All Grades
Somerville recognises that our players may play across multiple teams and competitions in one season. Player welfare is important to the Club and it is critical that the player openly communicates with the team coach and/or manager if they have any concerns. Players must, in the first instance, discuss their workload with the team coach to develop an effective plan to manage their time. In the interest of player welfare a compromise for training/match commitment may be met during season peaks. Should a player continue to have concerns, they should contact the Club Development Officer. In the event of unacceptable absence, both parties (club/player) will endeavour to find a solution. Should this fail, the Club may regrade the player.

Premier

The Premier teams are often regarded as our Flagship teams of the Club and are considered a priority team for the Club. It is the home of our current Blackstick players when available. Through representative commitment and unavailability these team squads are often extended beyond 20 players. Neither match time nor field time is guaranteed for Premier players. The teams are heavily “result focussed”. The Club reserve the right to recruit players from outside the Club when necessary.

A player wishing to play Premier hockey must be prepared to attend:

  • Pre-season training and trials

  • 2x training nights per week

  • All scheduled matches - competition day is Saturday (unless otherwise scheduled)

  • End of season prize-giving

International players (Blackstick or overseas) may be exempted from some of the above requirements. Opportunities exist for financial assistance where players coach/assist another Club team.

Premier Reserve

The team in the Premier Reserve grade is the recognised path to the Premier team. During the pre-season programme, selected Premier Reserve players form part of the greater Premier squad. At the completion of this programme and after trials this team will operate as its own entity. Replacements for injured/sick or otherwise unavailable Premier players may be drawn from the Reserve squad. On occasion the Premier coach may request Reserve players train with the Premier team.

A player wishing to play Premier Reserve hockey must be prepared to attend:

  • Pre-season training and trials

  • Training 1 x per week when scheduled

  • All scheduled matches - competition day is Sunday

  • End of season prize-giving

Division 1-4

These teams compete in the appropriate open grade competition. They are a mix of competitive and social players, predominantly adult teams with a blend of younger players. The teams continue to play and train over school holiday periods and it is expected that players are available for the full duration of the season.

A Player wishing to play senior division hockey must be prepared to attend:

  • A minimum of 2 trials

  • Training 1x per week

  • All scheduled matches - competition days are Saturday for Div 1 & Div 3, Sunday for Div 2 & Div 4

  • End of season prize-giving

Expectations & Commitment

Commitment to a team is important to develop responsibility and respect for others. Please factor in hockey commitments when planning holidays and breaks, and do not register if you cannot commit to being at nearly every game and practice.

Somerville players should behave in a way which is appropriate, consistent with the standards expected by the Club, and led by the Coach and Manager. Players should:

  • remain committed to the team for the duration of the season

  • abide by the rules of the sport

  • play with sportsmanship, with respect for other players, coaches, managers and umpires

  • wear appropriate team uniform (including mouthguards and shinpads), and respect the equipment and facilities at all times

  • attend meetings, trainings, games and other activities as required, and be punctual

  • come mentally and physically prepared to positively participate in trainings and matches, to help develop yourself and your team

  • notify the manager/coach of any inability to participate as soon as possible prior to the playing or training date

Contact

For further information or any queries, please contact:

Sam MacKarell | Men’s Club Captain
somervillemen@gmail.com

Di Ching | Women’s Club Captain
somervillewomen@gmail.com