From holding a stick to building confidence on the ball, explore CoachMate's latest resources designed to help players get started and thrive.

Every player starts somewhere. Whether it's learning how to hold a hockey stick, receiving a pass for the first time, or building confidence on the ball, strong fundamentals help create positive experiences and a lifelong connection to the game.

To help support players, coaches, parents, schools and clubs on that journey, Hockey NZ has added a range of new core skills resources to CoachMate.

What's New?

We've recently added:

• A new Coaching the Core Skills course, featuring five lessons that break down hockey's fundamental skills, why they matter, and how to coach them effectively.
• Four practical activities focused on the core skills, designed to help beginner players learn through fun, engaging experiences.
• Eight ready-to-run training sessions, providing a structured programme that helps players build confidence and competence week by week.

Whether you're coaching a team for the first time, welcoming new players to your club, or looking for simple ways to support skill development, these resources provide practical guidance to help get players started and enjoying the game.

Where to Find It

Open your app and use the menu across the bottom of your screen to find the new resources located under the Learn and Practice icons.

Learn → Course: Coaching the Core Skills
Look for the new Course called - Coaching the Core Skills. This course includes 5 lessons you can work through at your own pace, in any order, covering hockey's core skills, coaching cues, and key fundamentals. It is great for anyone in hockey wanting to learn more, and handy for anyone delivering training sessions.

Practice → Training Activities and Sessions: Coaching Beginner Players
Click on the Practice icon and scroll down to find the Coaching of Beginner Players area. Then click on the see all link to find all the new activities and sessions plans. There are four new activities and 8 new session plans ready for you to use.

Created by Our Hockey Network

A special thank you to Hawke's Bay, Tauranga and Waikato Hockey Associations for their contribution to the development of these resources and their support in bringing them to the wider hockey community.

New to CoachMate?

CoachMate is Hockey NZ's free mobile app, helping players, coaches, teachers, managers, and anyone involved in hockey access practical hockey learning resources, activities, training sessions and team management tools. It provides the one app you need to connect your team, manage your season, and make life a whole lot easier.

It is absolutely FREE to use and can be downloaded in the Apple and Android store.

For more information about CoachMate click here!

And as a bonus - you will also be able to access free resources from a range of different sports in NZ who also use CoachMate. Set up one profile to coach hockey, soccer, BMZ, golf, Basketball, Rugby League and more!