Southland U18 Performance Programme

Eligibility: Players born 2008-2009

Programme Purpose

• Prepare U18 athletes for representative and national level hockey

Development Opportunities:​​​​​​​

U18 Performance Programme

4 weeks of:

Development Training - Tuesdays - 24 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar. 6-7:30pm

Small-group training - Individual skills and advanced techniques - Principles of play and decision making - 1.5 hour sessions (skills, gameplay, fitness) - Attendance encouraged for U18 selection.

Fight Night (Year 11-13) - Fridays - 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 20 Mar. 

3v3 and 4v4 small-sided games. Both Gore & Invercargill Focus on speed, pressure, and decision making

Sporting Edge Development Weekend - Date TBC

Selection & Competition Pathway

U18 Trials - Tuesday 24 Mar & Sunday 29 Mar

Squads selected for Wakatipu Shield - 3 weeks of squad training prior to Wakatipu Shield

Expectations & Team Building - Monday 4 May 

Programme expectations and standards, Team culture and behaviours

Wakatipu Shield - 10 May - Oamaru

Final teams selected for National Tournament campaign

Mainland Cup - 30-31 May - Dunedin

Extra Games - 21 June (TBC) - Gore

National U18 Tournament 2026 - 5-11 July

Women: Palmerston North

Men: Tauranga

Player Responsibilities

• Complete fitness and skill work outside team trainings
• Maintain high work ethic and coachability
• Be physically prepared and committed to learning

Additional games or competitions may be added during the campaign.