2026 U12 Development Squad

2026 Eligibility Criteria

Age: Participants should be born in 2014 or 2015. NSB will consider nominations for players younger than these age groups based on their ability and readiness. This will be at the discretion of our Association.

Registration: Players must either have club of origin status or NSB as their primary Association. We also welcome school players who are not ‘club’ aligned.

Availability: Players must be available for ALL events in the program. Exceptions may be granted.

Financial: Players must have no outstanding invoices or payments due to NSB.

Code of Conduct: Players AND Parents must have read and understood the Hockey Australia Code of Conduct and Stakeholders CoC.
Breeches of the eligibility criteria may result in a player not being selected or removed from a team. Please consider your eligibility before you register your nomination.

U12 registrations for trials are now open

U12 Girls registrations here : https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nsbha/events/347204

U12 Boys registrations here : https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nsbha/events/347306

There are player fees involved and accommodation/transport is players responsibility for all U12 carnivals (see below).

Calendar

Trial dates for U12 Boys

BOYS: Saturday 28th March 2026 @ Pennant Hills Time 3:30pm-5.30pm

U12 Boys trial registrations here : https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nsbha/events/347306

Confirmed Training for U12 Boys

Training 1 : Sunday 3rd May 1-3pm @ Pennant Hills

Training 2 : Sunday 17th May 1-3pm @ Pennant Hills

Training 3: Sunday 24th May 3-5pm @ Pennant Hills

Trial dates for U12 girls

GIRLS Trial 1: Saturday 21 March 2026 @ Pennant Hills Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

GIRLS Trial 2: Saturday 28th March 2026 @ Pennant Hills Time 5:30pm-7.30pm

Strongly recommend attendance at both trials

U12 Girls trial registrations here : https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nsbha/events/347204

Provisional Training dates for U12 girls

We are currently in the process of securing fields for U12 girls training. The aim is to schedule post 4pm in order not to clash with Super6 (if held on a Saturday). There will be 3 x training sessions which will be held on:

Training 1 : 2nd or 3rd May

Training 2: 16th or 17th May

Training 3: 23rd or 24th May

We also wish to hold one of these sessions on a full field, such as Pennant Hills.

We aim to confirm the girls training dates, times and locations before 28th March.

U12 Boys and Girls Development Squad CONFIRMED EVENTS Calendar 2026

Date	Time	Event	Venue	Comments
Sunday 10 May	All Day	Girls Moorebank Carnival	Moorebank	Full Field
Sat 6th – Mon 8th June	Matches various times throughout each day	Canberra Carnival	Canberra
Sunday 14th June	All Day	Sutherland Carnival	Sutherland	Half Field
Sunday 21st June	All Day	Boys Moorebank Carnival	Moorebank	Full Field
3rd-6th July (Fri 3rd PM is usually optional skills workshops)		Kim Shield & York Cup	Tamworth	Full Field

The U12 carnivals are not all the same format. Some are played across a half field & others on full field. Obviously this will impact how we select team sizes. Given that this is a development program the movement of players between teams may happen between tournaments. You will be asked to confirm your availability for all of the carnivals at registration.

We anticipate we will have:

12G 4 half-field teams, combined to 3 for full-field carnivals
12B 2 half-field teams, combined to one for full-field carnivals
Mixed teams may also be considered for Sutherland and Tamworth carnivals

Research has shown that small-sided, modified field games provide a greater hockey experience for all levels of participation, with a focus on fun, participation and skill development. The players get more touches of the ball, put in more passes and have more shots on goal. Interestingly it also shows they run further!

Attached is information highlighting the benefits of small sided games.

Player Fees

The player fees are being finalised, they will be in the vicinity of:

U12G – $400
U12B – $400

Player fees are payable and include all competition, training & umpires fees & coach incidentals. Invoices will be issued to be paid online.

The trial registration fee will be deducted from the total. The trial fee is non refundable, except if:

If the player is withdrawn one week prior to the first trial.
If a player cannot be placed in a team.
At the discretion of the Rep Convenor.

Accommodation & Transport

For the U12 age group each player/family will be responsible for any accommodation & transport requirements.

Uniform

All players will need to purchase an NSB representative uniform. Players will require a NSB navy blue playing top, navy blue playing shorts/skort (does not need to be NSB), NSB navy blue socks and the alternative NSB yellow association socks.
Academy players (not selected for a team) do not require a uniform.

Uniform navy playing shirts and socks will be on sale at the 1st training session. Hoodies and other items can be purchased from this link https://www.xpresssportswear.com.au/field-hockey/nsbh

Team Managers needed

We will need a manager for each team and would greatly appreciate anyone interested to contact me.
The management duties for these teams is relatively light as there are no accommodation & meal logistics.
The main responsibilities will be the distribution of info, working with the coach for substitute timing & taking care of team requirements at the actual competition. You must be available to attend all carnivals. You do not need hockey experience. You do need to be organised. 😊

Team Coaches

If you would like to be part of the journey to coach our next generation of hockey legends please contact me directly in addition to completion of your formal nomination at this at this link https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nsbha/events/336149

Umpires Needed

We are required to nominate an umpire for each team attending carnivals. Umpires receive payment for their duties.
If there is anyone interested in umpiring (older sibling, parent, friend) we would like to hear from you! Umpire nomination form can be found here https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nsbha/events/285978

If you have any further questions on the U12 program please do not hesitate to contact me. Looking forward to a fabulous 2026 field hockey season.

Caroline Wheeler, U12 age coordinator

0423 003167

carolinewheelerau@gmail.com