JUNIORS

JUNIORS' HOCKEY | BRIARS HOCKEY CLUB | SYDNEY NSW

WELCOME TO BRIARS JUNIOR HOCKEY | SYDNEY

WHERE EVERY PLAYER BELONGS

At Briars, we believe hockey is for everyone. Whether your child has never held a stick before or dreams of representing Australia one day, they’ll find their place in our club. As one of Sydney’s largest junior hockey clubs, we’re proud to offer a welcoming, inclusive environment where kids aged 5 to 17 can discover the joy of hockey while developing skills that last a lifetime.

WHY CHOOSE BRIARS?

A CLUB THAT PUTS KIDS FIRST

We know that every child is different. Some are natural athletes looking for their next challenge, while others are trying a team sport for the first time. That’s why all our teams are mixed – boys and girls playing together, with skill levels ranging from absolute beginners to highly competitive players. No matter where your child starts, they’ll be supported every step of the way.

COMMUNITY & CONNECTION

Hockey at Briars is about more than what happens on the field. It’s about friendships formed, confidence built, and being part of something bigger. Families become part of our club community, and we understand that life is busy – that’s why our schedule respects school holidays, long weekends, and Easter breaks.

FUN MEETS DEVELOPMENT

Yes, we want the kids to have a blast – hockey should be enjoyable! But we also take skill development seriously. Our experienced coaches, many drawn from our senior men’s and women’s teams, know how to make training engaging while building fundamental hockey skills. We’re proud that many of our juniors progress to representative level, including NSW teams, but we celebrate every improvement, big or small.

OUR PROGRAMS

MINKEYS - THE PERFECT START

What is Minkeys? Minkey hockey is a modified, small-sided version of field hockey designed for young children to learn foundational skills in a fun environment. At Briars, it is played by U6 and U8.

Age Groups: U6 & U8

Training: Wednesdays, 5:00-5:45pm

Games: Non-competitive Saturday morning (usually around 8am) games during season from late March to early September. Training and games do not run over school holidays.

Where: Training is at Cintra Hockey Complex, Gipps Street, Concord NSW 2137

Cost: TBC – All new Minkey players to Briars as part of their registration fee gets a free uniform which includes a shirt, socks and short/skirt. This is sourced through the Minkey Coordinator.

What you’ll need:

Each player needs a hockey stick, shin pads and a mouth guard.

If you are new to hockey and want to borrow a stick to give it a try please contact us and we can accomodate for a training session, after this, it is expected that all players supply their own. Mouthguards and socks are available for purchase at the clubhouse.

Perfect for: Our Minkies program is designed specifically for our youngest players. Children, boys and girls, who have started school, who are wanting to play hockey or start their hockey journey. Children trying hockey for the first time, kids who want to play in a fun environment.

This consists of training on a Wednesday night where the children develop basic skills and hockey knowledge. They then have games with other local clubs on a Saturday morning in a non-competitive competition, where the focus is on the children being able to play a small game and put the skills they have learnt into practice. Many of our now U16s started in our Minkey program.

Through fun, non-competitive games and activities, children build confidence with a stick in their hands and learn the basics of hockey in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

Junior Competition Teams (U10 to U18)

Competition: Sydney North Area Hockey Association

Briars Juniors participate in the Sydney North Area Hockey Association competition. We enter competitions for age groups U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18, some with multiple teams in each age category depending on numbers. All age groups are mixed competitions for both boys and girls, and we welcome beginner players at any age from 5 to 17.

Age Groups: U10, U12, U14, U16, U18

Training: Wednesday afternoons 5pm onwards depending on age group (from late February) at our home ground at Cintra Hockey Complex

Games: Competition games are on Friday nights and Saturday mornings depending on the age group.

Season: March to mid-September | This year the competition commences in March and is usually completed by mid-September, the end of season depends on the outcome of the competition and making it through to finals. Training and games do not run over school holidays.

Cost: TBC

Our competition teams play on international-standard synthetic turf at venues across Sydney’s north, including our home ground at Cintra Park. All age groups are mixed competitions welcoming both boys and girls, and we actively encourage beginners at any age from 5 to 17.

At the end of the season there is a presentation night where all team members are celebrated for their participation, achievements and enjoyment of the season. There is also a summer competition that is run throughout November and December.

WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM SPECIAL

Quality coaching tailored to each age group and skill level

Focus on player development, not just winning
Pathways to representative hockey for committed players
A balance between competitive play and enjoying the game
Teams graded to ensure appropriate challenges for all skill levels

WORLD CLASS FACILLITIES

All our competition matches are played on international-standard synthetic turf – the same surface used by professional players worldwide. Our home ground, Cintra Park in Five Dock, provides a fantastic venue for training and games, while other North Area venues span from Pennant Hills to Turramurra North, Ryde, and Sydney Olympic Park.

COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Great coaching changes everything. At Briars, we believe coaches should inspire, encourage, and develop each player’s potential – whatever that looks like for them. Our coaching team includes volunteer hockey-playing parents, experienced senior players, and qualified Sydney Junior Hockey Association coaches, all united by a common goal: helping kids fall in love with hockey.

Our coaching priorities:

Every child matters – We coach to each player’s ability and goals
Fun first – Enjoyment creates engagement and learning
Skill development – Proper technique taught at the right pace
Positive environment – Building confidence through encouragement
Teamwork – Learning to play together and support each other
All our coaches have Working With Children checks.

Competition results are secondary to ensuring every child has a positive experience and reaches their personal potential. For some players, this means making a solid contribution to their team. For others, it might mean representative selection or even elite pathways. We support all journeys.

PATHWAYS TO EXCELLENCE

While we welcome and celebrate players of all abilities, we’re also committed to supporting those who dream big. Briars has a strong focus on talent identification and player development, and we’re proud of the high number of our juniors who progress to representative hockey.

We provide information about holiday hockey clinics, representative trial opportunities, and pathways to elite-level hockey. If your child loves the game and has aspirations to wear the green and gold as a Hockeyroo or Kookaburra, we’ll help them chase that dream.

GETTING STARTED - IT'S EASY!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

For training: Normal athletic clothing (t-shirt, shorts, sneakers)

Essential equipment:

Mouthguard (must be worn at all times on the field)
Shin pads (must be worn at all times on the field)
Hockey stick – all players to have their own stick at all levels. If you are new to hockey and wanting to borrow a stick to give it a try please contact us and we can accomodate for a training session, after this, it is expected that all players supply their own.

For competition players (U10, U12, U14, U16, U18):

Briars socks, shirts, and shorts (available to purchase online)

Mouthguards, shin pads, socks and uniform can be purchased from the clubhouse at Cintra Park. We keep costs accessible so every family can participate.

REGISTRATION

Ready to join? Registration is simple through our online portal. The season runs from March to mid-September, with training beginning in late February.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My child has never played hockey – is that okay?

Absolutely! We welcome beginners at all age levels. Our coaches are experienced in introducing new players to the game.

How much time does it require?

Typically, one training session per week (Wednesday afternoons – time depending on age group) and games either Friday nights or Saturday mornings (depending on age group). We keep school holidays and long weekends free.

Can my daughter play? Are there girls' teams?

Yes! All our teams are mixed, and we have strong participation from both girls and boys at every age level.

What if we have family commitments some weekends?

We understand families have busy lives. While we encourage regular participation, we’re flexible and work with families to balance hockey with other commitments.

My child wants to be competitive – will they be challenged?

Definitely. We have teams at various skill levels, and our player development program identifies and supports talented players with pathways to representative hockey.

How do the age groups work?

Hockey age groups are determined by the player’s age as of 1 January of the playing year.

Age groupings for 2026 are based on age on 1 January 2026

Under 6 (U6): Players aged 4 or 5
Under 8 (U8): Players aged 6 or 7
Under 10 (U10): Players aged 8 or 9
Under 12 (U12): Players aged 10 or 11
Under 14 (U14): Players aged 12 or 13
Under 16 (U16): Players aged 14 or 15
Under 18 (U18): Players aged 16 or 17

JOIN THE BRIARS FAMILY

At Briars Junior Hockey, we’re building more than hockey players – we’re building confident, skilled young people who understand teamwork, persistence, and the joy of being part of something special.

Whether your child is picking up a stick for the first time or working toward their sporting dreams, they’ll find a home at Briars.

Questions? We’d love to hear from you.