How adults shape junior hockey environments for kids to learn, belong, and grow, and have some serious fun!

A Seriously Fun junior hockey environment is one where:

• Confidence grows because kids feel safe to try
• Friendships flourish because everyone feels they belong
• Learning thrives because effort matters more than outcomes

When hockey feels positive and engaging, kids are more open, more focused, and more willing to learn. Fun isn’t something we add at the end — it’s what unlocks everything else.

How adults can help grow confidence - Practical Tips

1. Praise effort and progress

Kids feel more confident when adults notice what they’re trying to do, not just what they achieve.

• “You kept going even when it was tricky.”
• “Great focus during that activity.”

This helps kids understand that improvement comes from trying, not perfection.

2. Make mistakes feel normal

When mistakes are treated as part of learning, kids feel safe to try again.

• Use calm, positive language when things don’t go to plan.
• Say things like “let’s try that again together.”

A relaxed response from adults helps kids stay relaxed too.

3. Give every child meaningful involvement

Confidence grows when kids feel included and valued.

• Use small‑group activities where everyone gets touches on the ball.
• Rotate roles so all players get a chance to lead, support, or try something new.

Small moments of success build big confidence.

4. Use simple, encouraging language

Clear, positive messages help kids stay calm and ready to learn.

• “You’ve got this.”
• “Let’s give it a go.”

Simple encouragement goes a long way.

5. Highlight confident behaviours when you see them

When adults name these moments, kids repeat them.

• “Great bravery trying that new move.”
• “Nice job backing yourself.”

This helps kids recognise what confidence looks and feels like.

Support for Coaches and Parents

Creating Seriously Fun junior hockey doesn’t rely on having all the answers.

CoachMate is a free phone and tablet app designed to help coaches and parents run engaging, inclusive sessions where kids move, learn, and work together. It includes training session plans for the season, activities built from best practice for foundation players, and simple tips to adjust each activity to suit your team and environment.

CoachMate helps adults create the kind of environment where confidence grows naturally — and where kids feel excited to come back each week.

When kids feel connected, they feel confident.

And when they feel confident, they learn more, try more, and enjoy hockey even more.