Coaching at JHL

April 15, 2026

2026 Junior Hockey League Coaching - collaboration in action. 

The Junior Hockey League (JHL) is underway this week at King’s College, Auckland, bringing together New Zealand’s leading U21 men’s and women’s players in a fast paced, highly competitive event. 


Modelled on the Premier Hockey League, the JHL is designed to bridge the gap between U18 hockey and high performance environments, and the coaching groups leading each team play a key role in that transition.


It provides not only players, but coaches and an official’s valuable experience in a high-performance environment and support to develop their knowledge and skills.

As part of the league, appointed coaches from across Aotearoa are provided with a range of opportunities to connect with their peers. These include informal conversations over meals, as well as structured sessions such as Coaching Connects, facilitated by Hockey NZ. These opportunities provide coaches with time to network, reflect, and exchange insights on successful practices and ongoing challenges. This collaborative approach is a core strength of the JHL, aligning strongly with the National Coaching Direction and supporting coach development through both self-directed and collaborative learning.


Here are your coaching teams in action at Kings College, Auckland, for this years JHL.


Tridents

Women

•  Head Coach: Rocio Gonzalez Canda (Auckland)

•  Assistant Coach: Casey Crowley (North Harbour)

Men

•  Head Coach: James Grant (Waikato)

•  Assistant Coach: Josh Kumarboff (North Harbour)


Falcons

Women

• Head Coach: Kerry Thomas (Wellington)

• Assistant Coach: Matthew Witheford (Hawkes Bay)

Men

• Head Coach: Brandon Roach (Manawatu)

• Assistant Coach: Levi Loudon (Wellington)


Alpiners

Women

• Head Coach: Jolene Casey (Otago)

• Assistant Coach: Rory Crawford (Canterbury)

Men

• Head Coach: Hymie Gill (Otago)

• Assistant Coach: Sam Grimshaw (Canterbury)


Mavericks

Women

• Head Coach: Darren Smith

• Assistant Coaches: Mel Aiken (Tauranga)

Men

• Head Coach: Jamie Stones (Taranaki)

• Assistant Coach: Ben Tanner (Waikato)


Want to share this post?

By Nicole Youman May 12, 2026
A key opportunity for coaches and managers wanting to contribute to our national pathway and support the next generation of talent.
By Nicole Youman April 16, 2026
How adults can shape junior hockey environments for kids to learn, belong, and grow, and have some serious fun!
By Ben Owens April 15, 2026
Understanding the National Coaching Direction and what it means to you and the wider coaching community.
By Ben Owens April 13, 2026
How do you prepare players for situations they haven’t seen before? 
By Nicole Youman April 13, 2026
Here is your guide to the first steps as a Junior Coach and how the FREE CoachMate App is there to help
By Nicole Youman April 8, 2026
The National Coaching Ticket is a must have for all Coaches, make sure you have a current ticket today!
More Posts