Version control: Original 1990 / Updated 1999 / Updated 2003 / Updated 2010 / Updated 2015 / Updated February 2023
Introduction
You must refer to the Requirements for All Sport and Physical Activity (PDF 466KB) to understand your overall compliance responsibilities.
The sport of Hockey is frequently incorporated into school sport programs.
Parents or caregivers must be informed of the full details of the location, protective equipment to be provided, supervision to be provided and activities to be undertaken when seeking their written permission.
The modified versions of hockey - Minkey and Hockey 7’s are the only forms of the game to be included in school programs from the introduction age to ten years of age.
Teacher/Instructor Qualifications and Experience
The teacher/instructor must have appropriate expertise and/or training in the teaching/coaching of hockey.
A teacher must be present who has recognised current training in emergency care.
Supervision
Where an adult other than a teacher is engaged to provide instruction, a teacher must be present to take overall responsibility. It is recommended that qualified officials be used for inter-school competitions.
Equipment
A correctly fitted mouthguard is mandatory and must be worn during organised training sessions and intra and interschool competition including the indoor forms of the game.
Shin pads are mandatory and must be worn during organised training sessions and intra and interschool competition including the indoor forms of the game.
Moulded synthetic-soled boots or sports shoes are recommended for natural grass. Sports shoes are recommended for synthetic grass. Boots must conform to the rules of the game.
Goalkeepers must wear a suitable helmet with face guard, chest protector, groin protector, protective pads and kickers. It is also recommended that goalkeepers use gauntlet gloves. These items must be available for use by the goalkeeper.
Equipment must be checked prior to use and not used if defective. Wooden sticks with splits must not be used.
No hard peak caps are permitted. Students should wear soft peak caps only.
Goal posts and goal structures must be checked for stability so that there is no likelihood of the goals falling forwards.
A well-equipped medical kit must be readily available.
Principals and teachers are advised that when conducting individual activity based ‘training sessions’ and or skill sessions the use of safety equipment (eg shin guards, mouthguards, headgear, shoulder pads) may be optional after considering the level of risk involved and assessing any possible risk as minimal.
Students involved in “opposition based drills and contact games” must wear the specified safety equipment.
Venues
The ground surface must be free of obstructions and loose objects and be of a standard fit for play.
Hydrated lime must not be used to mark fields. Further information is available at - Marking of Fields.
Spectators must be positioned at an appropriate distance from the field of play during play.
Safety
Students must remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.
Each school must have a coaching program based on conditioning and progressive skill training. Students must be made aware of the rules regarding dangerous play, body and stick contact.
Where injury occurs during the game, the student must be excluded wherever there is any doubt as to the extent of injury or fitness to continue. Teachers and coaches must exclude students from returning to playing after injury until it is clear that the student is fit to resume.
Should an injury occur involving bleeding these procedures should be followed
- All clothing, equipment and surfaces contaminated by blood must be viewed as potentially infectious and treated accordingly.
- Participants who are bleeding must have the wound dressed and securely covered.
- Any blood covered body area (and surface area where appropriate), must be cleaned thoroughly and any blood covered clothing and equipment cleaned or removed prior to the participant recommencing the activity.
Where possible, ice should be available for the treatment of injuries.
Students are to be instructed to use adequate sun protection, e.g. SPF50+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen reapplied regularly and where appropriate, a hat that complies with hockey rules.