Centre of Development (COD) is our highly successful program which consists of three elements:

• Training Sessions
• 15 hours (for 10 weeks, a 1.5-hour session each week) of weekly coaching delivered at your local venue. Delivered between October 2024 and February 2025. Including a break over the school holidays.  
• Regional and Goal Keeping (GK) Sessions
• At least 6 hours of coaching (2 sessions), where a player can join with other centres across their region for a larger 3 hour training session.
• GK sessions will be included in all Regional Sessions this year.
• New Balance Regional Challenge
• This is the culminating event of COD and is one of the showpiece tournaments on the Hockey NSW calendar. 
• The three day round-robin carnival is included in the registration fee for COD and allows all participants to attend the event. The focus of the weekend is gameplay and putting the skills developed during COD in to practice. Action on the pitch will be fast paced and team oriented. No results or scores are kept throughout the weekend and awards are given for development, as well as Hockey NSW PRIDE values in action. 

This program caters for children in two age groups (U12's and U14's) of all ability levels and will start across the state at the end of October - early November. 

It is recommended that children aged up to and including having already turned 12 in 2024, register in the 12 age group particularly those who are new to hockey. The 14 age group is recommended for all 13 and 14 year olds and some of the more experienced younger players may also be suitable to register for this age group.

Each team region is made up of multiple teams of various ages and genders. The program is also joined by over 180 officials including Coaches and Umpires, both of which receive development and accreditation opportunities through COD.

YOUR $50 ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS CAN BE USED FOR COD. TO APPLY FOR AND CLAIM YOUR VOUCHERS:  CLICK HERE 

To use your Active Kids Vouchers for COD, you will need to complete this survey with your child's full name, DOB, Active Kids Voucher number & Voucher QR code. This needs to be done BEFORE you register your child for COD. Once you have completed the survey above you will receive a unique discount code via email that you will be able to apply to the registration and get $50 or $100 off the total depending on the number of vouchers you have provided.

PLEASE NOTE: Any Active Kids rebate applied to COD registration fees cannot be refunded directly to participants as per the NSW Government's Terms and Conditions for the Active Kids Program.

Hockey NSW are very supportive of umpire development and all COD participants will undertake an hour’s umpire development to assist with their game understanding to increase their ability to then umpire at the New Balance Regional Challenge event. This development is being introduced with the support of the Hockey NSW Umpire and Officials Development Manager, Zeke Newman. This can see athletes obtain their community umpire accreditation at the New Balance Regional Challenge event.

As a part of supporting continued coaching development in each region, Hockey NSW fosters an opportunity for developing coaches to be involved in COD. During the program, coaching support and guidance will be provided, as well as several resources and coach education online workshops.

It’s a great way to build your skills as a coach, as well as sharing your ideas and learning from others. The coaching network that is created as part of the COD Program allows our local coaches to upskill and take knowledge back to their local Club or Association.

You can commit to as little or as much of the program as you like. All you need is a valid WWCC and interest in upskilling yourself and in turn, upskilling the players within the program. 

This year HNSW will be offering a chance to register and complete the Foundation Lead Coaching Course during the COD program. Regional Lead will mentor coaches during sessions and coaches completing the course will be showcased and ticked off at the New Balance Regional Challenge. 

Coach Development tool

Hockey NSW is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who are involved in our sport. We take seriously our responsibility to deliver a sporting environment that is fun, caring, nurturing and safe and work hard to:

a) minimise the likelihood of a child or young person being harmed, and

b) respond promptly and appropriately when it happens.

All coaches within the COD Program are expected to follow the Safe Hockey Code of Behaviour  and adhere to all relevant laws and policies in regards to child safety.

All athletes are encouraged to wear a COD uniform. 

COD Uniforms will be able to be purchased separately through the online shop.

The uniform includes a singlet or long sleeve t-shirt (or goalkeeper smock) and socks. Shorts are available but not required.

Click here for COD Uniform Shop 

Please click here to access the Centre of Development Refund Policy 

In the event of the entire COD Program being cancelled by Hockey NSW, a full refund will be provided to all registrants.

In the event of part of the COD Program being cancelled by Hockey NSW once the program has commenced, a pro-rata refund based on the number of sessions delivered will be provided.

Please note that any Active Kids rebate applied to COD registration fees cannot be refunded as per the NSW Government's terms and conditions for the Active Kids program. 

No refund will be given if the 2024/2025 New Balance Regional Challenge does not go ahead or a player decides not to attend.

What do I receive?

• 15 hours of consistent, good quality coaching within your home region.

• At least 2 x 3 hr regional training sessions. GK training sessions are included in these sessions.

• Entry to the New Balance Regional Challenge, Hockey NSW’s largest single event and winner of Sport NSW Community Event of the Year.

• Education on umpiring basics, providing a more thorough perspective on the game of hockey.

What if I can’t make every session?

Athletes can make up missed sessions by attending sessions within other regions at different times. Please contact cod@hockeynsw.com.au via email to advise of your missed sessions and discuss how these might be made up.

What if a session is cancelled due to Flood, Heat, Fire or COVID 19?

One of our regional Hockey NSW staff members (for our Regional Community Team click here) will be in contact via email or SMS message to advise of program cancellation. If a session is cancelled, we will try to make up this time in alternate weeks.

Who will be coaching?

Hockey NSW will employ casual staff to coach these programs. Each centre will have a Lead Coach that will work with the regional Hockey NSW staff to deliver a consistent curriculum. The number of paid coaches at each centre will depend on the number of registered participants at each location.

I would like to become involved as a volunteer coach?

Hockey NSW has a focus for the COD program to provide coach development for all level of coaches so they can also develop over the summer months during the program. If you are interested and would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact one of our Hockey NSW Regional Community Team.

Do I have to attend the New Balance Regional Challenge?

Whilst not compulsory, the New Balance Regional Challenge offers a great opportunity to test the skills developed during COD in a fast, game style environment while mingling with hockey players from across the State in a friendly, fun and non competitive atmosphere.

Can I be selected into a State Squad?

Not through this program.

Why does my region have to pay Association Turf hire?

Some Associations charge turf hire costs to Hockey NSW, which is included as part of the registration cost. Hockey NSW is grateful to Associations that have provided their facilities free of charge to athletes in COD.

For any additional information, please contact: cod@hockeynsw.com.au