Club Structure
This provides players, coaches and supporters with a framework for player and team development across all grades. Below is the Club structure, some grades may have more than one Somerville team.
Senior Open Grades
Premier & Premier Reserve
Division 1, 2, 3 & 4
Age Protected Grades
Youth Premier
Youth Championship
Junior Grades
Kwik-Sticks: Year 7 & 8
Kiwi-Sticks: Year 5 & 6
Mini-Sticks: Year 3 & 4
Fun-Sticks: Year 1 & 2
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.
Kwikstick A - Premier
The Kwiksticks Premier grade team is recognised as a priority team in the Club. Committing to the Club with hockey as your "priority winter sport" is expected. In this respect, unless indicated prior to trials, the Premier grade team will operate with a maximum of 14 players. Coaches at this level are monitored to ensure they achieve a balance between team results and individual development.
A player wishing to play Premier grade must be prepared to attend:
● Pre-season training and trials
● Training 2x per week - See Club Training Schedule
● All scheduled matches - competition is Saturday Morning
● End of season prize-giving
Junior (all other grades)
All other Junior teams, although seeded on ability (with the exception of players new to hockey at the younger levels) are considered development teams. Development takes priority over results at all times. Parents should support sound team sport ethics, availability, Club uniform requirements, timekeeping, and practice regimes. Parents should be aware that coaches at this level (like players) vary in ability.
Junior competition day is Saturday mornings.
Training days vary depending on team - See Club Training Schedule.
Player Pathways
The Club has a number of priority high performance teams. It acknowledges these teams will receive additional resources and turf time befitting their status. Priority team status is given for the purposes of winning competitions and/or the development of individual talent for the Club.
These teams are ranked in importance (for both genders)
1. Premier
2. Premier Reserves
3. Youth Premier
4. Kwiksticks - Premier
Priority Teams
Priority Teams Players are selected into the priority teams based on ability. It is not a given right because of years at the Club, incumbent or representative player status. Selection is based on performance at trials and completion of physical criteria and skill testing where pertinent. Committing to the Club with hockey as your "priority sport" is an expectation.
Priority team players are expected to attend the following, unless unavailable through injury or illness:
● Pre-season matches and training
● Trials and relevant testing
● Matches and training during the season
● Prize-giving
● Relevant Club social events
Premier teams may include International players (overseas or BlackSticks) exempted from some of the above requirements.
The Club (team coaches in consultation with Club Development Officer) reserves the right to relegate any player who falls into one or more of the following categories:
● Does not attend an acceptable percentage of trainings or matches
● Fails to maintain playing or training/fitness standards
● Brings the Club into disrepute by word or action on or off the field
Players who trial and gain selection in a priority team are not guaranteed turf/field time for any match. However, continual lack of field time is a concern for both player and Club. This may necessitate in a priority team player being offered field time on occasion in a lower graded team.