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THE ISSUE
It is no secret that developing junior hockey competitions and running localised masters hockey competitions in regionalised centres has been a challenge especially in recent years. The demand for signing up new junior sports participants is competitive between all sports. The richer sports having distinct advantages in that they can self- fund their sport’s growth. It is observable that in some hockey associations where clubs have struggled to get new junior participants that players are having to play two or more games on the weekend in sometimes age groups far higher than they correctly aged for. Also mixed teams can be a norm to ensure everyone gets a game.
Although Master’s hockey is strong overall it is difficult to cater for the large age variances that make up masters hockey participants (35 years to over 65 years). In regional areas Masters age players who are over 45 years find themselves having to compete in Senior competitions against players 20 years younger because there is no viable Masters alone competition.
In both the above cases hockey competitions struggle participants get discouraged, parents get discouraged, clubs get discouraged, associations get weaker, and ultimately hockey struggles as a sport. The issue is understandably complex, Hockey Australia and State bodies are doing their best, elite hockey in Australia is still strong on a global basis but is there a light at the end of the tunnel for future sustainable growth.
A POSSIBLE SOLUTION THAT NEEDS CONSIDERATION
It is proposed that hockey administrators change or adapt the traditional 11 aside hockey game format and make some local rule changes to attract, promote sustain and develop hockey participation and hockey popularity.
Hockey globally is making huge steps to make the game of hockey more attractive to new participants as well as for media coverage. Major FIH events such as the Champions Trophy, Hockey World League Final and Olympic Games introduced a new format that included moving to four 15-minute quarters and having 40-second time-outs when a penalty corner is awarded and after a goal is scored. The decision demonstrated FIH commitment to fan engagement. With the additional breaks, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy more replays and be more engaged with the event. We now see the evolution of Festivals of Hockey to promote the sport as exciting to play and watch.
In a recent announcement Hockey Queensland unveiled their new summer game format to attract hockey participants to play in the traditional off season. It is promoted as a safe, social and fun game format. It is called 3Z Hockey. 3Z Hockey is a brand new social version of hockey designed in a way that it can be played by anyone, regardless of their age, gender, whether they’ve played hockey before, or their fitness or skill level. More importantly, it’s been developed with participant enjoyment, fun and safety as paramount.
The rules of the game are simple and easy to learn in a couple of minutes, even if you’ve never played hockey before. These are the rules and game structure
3 Z Hockey
3 playing zones – 6 players per team – Modified Rules…
- Playing area is split into 3 Zones: Attack, Midfield & Defence
- 2 players per team in each zone = 12 players total on the playing area
- Unlimited substitutions
- Goals scored from the “Attack” Zone
- No designated goalkeepers
Rules
- Ball must always stay on the ground (unless it’s a shot at goal)
- Stick must stay low – no lifting your stick above your knee
- Use either side of the stick to push the ball and/or score a goal
- Free Hits (either self-play on or pass to a teammate. Defenders must be 3 metres away.)
- Awarded for:
– Deliberately kicking of the ball – unintentional is play on
– Stick obstruction or interference with the stick
– Intentional body contact
– Leaving your zone on purpose
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When you analyse this new game format it is truly exciting and has much more potential as a new game than maybe originally thought out. The smaller numbers, simple rules and game structure will mean a person can play in next to no time and enjoy the more freely structured format, and what is best you can have more teams than a traditional 11 aside which equates to a better competition with the same number of participants.
Hockey 5’s
Another smaller team open game format is FIH Hockey 5’s which was launched at the Youth Hockey Olympics. FIH Hockey5s is hopefully here to stay. It is a shortened version of the game that aligns with other international sports codes like Cricket (T20), Rugby (Sevens), and Soccer (5s). In South Africa the Super Fives vision is to
- Create ownership and employment opportunities for current National Players
- Create a sustainable revenue stream that also supports: The National Players Association.
- Create a fun & dynamic environment for our future stars to train, compete and thrive
- Create investment & mentoring opportunities for our Masters Hockey community
- Create a platform for consistent skills training & talent identification
Hockey Australia has incorporated it as part of it corporate plan to grow hockey in Australia. It has many advantages. However to date there appears to be Hockey Australia push to implement Hockey 5’s nationally which is needed. The advantages for implementing it
Firstly, it lends itself through the fast flowing, high goal scoring format, a smaller field, fewer players to be sports marketing asset for the sport of hockey in general. Commercial TV, live streaming and crowd pleasing excitement potential will attract spectators and sponsors if marketed correctly when we show off our best players in action. Professional basketball has reaped much because of the nature of the game and the way it has been marketed.
Three times International Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer was quoted as saying it would provide a more entertaining spectacle on television and secure the future of the sport at the Games. “Hockey was in danger of being kicked out of the Olympics recently and I believe the main reason is that we have too many athletes taking part. With this in mind, I think fives would be perfect. I want to make sure that hockey remains in the Olympics and if this is the way to go, why not? It will be great. Fives will be better for entertainment. There will be more goals and more action, making it a better spectacle for television.” said Dwyer.
The South African vision reinforces this view. They feel that there’s a great opportunity to create a franchise system that empowers our current National Hockey Players through either employment or ownership. They are also working with the Masters Hockey community to create an investment pool to assist with investment, mentorship and to create a channel for impacting the next generation of SA Hockey super stars.
Secondly, FIH Hockey5’s lend itself a great participatory model for introducing hockey to beginners and I am not suggesting just children. It is a great way for getting parents and adult potential players to play hockey. Again if marketed correctly. At junior levels we may be at fault trying to get young players into 11 a side games too early, e.g., under 12 years. Hockey5’s provide a great way for them to explore more in the game and participate individually in the game to a higher level. Also it is a great opportunity to introduce parents of junior players to hockey. Personal experience indicates will be surprised how many parents would take it up as a result. In implementing Hockey 5’s one of the issue above may have part of the needed solution solved.
Thirdly, the model lends itself to be used where hockey competitions struggle to field enough club teams. Masters hockey in country area competitions is an example. Another advantage for masters competition organisers is that it counteracts the problem where over 60 year olds are to play a long side fitter over 35+ year olds. Normally they might struggle to touch the ball enough in a game whereas in the smaller field and having smaller numbers [5] they are involved more, therefore providing much more a richer game experience.
Currently there are Hockey 7’s and Hockey 9’s game formats that have been introduced and these have benefits however as a solution to the issue presented in this article it has not been considered. Moving from Hockey 5’s to 7’s and 9’s then traditional 11 aside might be a viable progression for junior hockey development
It is the viewpoint of Go Hockey News that FIH Hockey 5’s or game formats like what Hockey Queensland are endeavouring to implement are here to stay but instead of being introduced on an adhoc basis clear directions and support from International and National Hockey management to hockey associations and clubs in establishing and marketing Hockey5’s type competitions.
Your views are appreciated.
Source: various
The above seems interesting but if it isn’t broken don’t fix it. We should stop tryign to cater for alternative forms of the game and stick with what people enjoy and we know works. Rather than create new forms of Hockey and try and cater for the minor numbers, administrators should focus on securing new grounds and alternative venues to host our sport. We should be extremely careful about changing a formula that currently works as we run the risk of loosing the main stream players.
I agree with what you are saying in the article, and I do believe Hockey Australia are starting to implement a National approach and allot of the states are embracing this, but the problem is you have one or two states out there who think these things are fads and wont play ball and if that state doesn’t soon they will be left behind.
Hi Jerome. You are so right here. When you compare hockey to other leading sports we need to be smarter because we do not have the ‘financial clout’or demanded authority to achieve desired outcomes
It would be better than nothing but a lot worse than playing real hockey so if you’re going to trial this please only do it in the areas where otherwise there wouldn’t be any hockey at all.
Fortunately where I play the Masters comp is strong and we have 5 different age grades so we don’t have 35yos playing 60yos. Most of those players would quit or go play lower grade open age than play a version of hockey like this.
Thank you Cara. I agree with you. Having played masters hockey where clubs teams could be formed effectively and with the ages of the people in the team relative it is ideal. However as you travel across the country you will see this is not always the case. In some case there is no masters competition and older players have to play along side youth and this is not good form a physical perspective.
The issue is that hickey is too much of a stand alone sport. There is little to no attraction in schools to play it therefore it comes down to clubs making a massive effort to firstly attract and then to keep these players. I agree there must be better ways to market the sport and have it televised but not at the expense of the game. 5, 6 and 9 a side hockey isn’t the answer all that does is limit the amount of players you take per comp. if anything there should be more opportunity for good players to represent. Rather than slimline the comps to your best 10 players. Hockey Australia needs more school involvement that is the best way to get kids involved in hockey.
Thank you Nathan for your thoughts. I agree with the need to get into schools. It is a competitive market in sports working hard to get a new participant to their sport. Hockey does not have the financial support theat Australia’s leading sports do. Interesting soccer made great inroads in years gone by by setting up and running 5 aside competitions for after school program. The SEPEP model is great for doing this. Their particpation numbers increased.
Here in the U.K. we recognise the need for alternative forms of the game. Weekend slots are often full of 11 a side matches which is ok if that’s when you can play. However, small sided games allow for up to 3 pitches for 6 a side giving 36 players plus subs the chance to play. These games can be played at other times to utilise unused pitch slots or can be replacements for some other matches. Indeed, at junior level we play under 10s at 4 a side on 1/8 of a pitch (squad size 6) thus allowing 64 children to play competitively at the same time. The new formats we play have resulted in significant increases in participation across all ages. I highly recommend it. We now have Walking Hockey too for those for whom Masters is too much or how have had to retire through injury.
Thank you for the comments. It is heartening to hear of those who are making adaptions to increase participation.