How to Get Started Playing Hockey with Hockey ACT

Updated

Start at hockeyact.org.au and use the Play Hockey section. It contains the two entry points you need: Find A Club (to locate a local club) and How Do I Get Started? (a beginner guide). From there you choose a program — Hookin2Hockey for first-timers, Holiday Clinics for school-break sessions, or Schools Program if you're coming through a school — then complete registration through the HACT Registration pages. This path suits children, juniors, and adults; the specific program and competition you enter depends on your age and experience.

The two starting points on the website

The site is organised so a new player doesn't have to guess. Under Play Hockey, two links do most of the work:

  • Find A Club — identifies clubs you can join. Clubs are the normal route into weekly hockey, so this is usually your first stop.
  • How Do I Get Started? — the site's own beginner walkthrough, which pairs with Find A Club.

If you already know you want a structured intro rather than a full season, go straight to the programs below instead.

Beginner programs to choose from

Hockey ACT lists several entry programs under Play Hockey. Pick based on who is playing and how much commitment you want:

Program Typical fit What it is for
Hookin2Hockey New players, especially kids The introductory program for people trying hockey for the first time
Holiday Clinics School-age players Short clinics run during school holidays
Schools Program Students Hockey delivered through schools
Walking Hockey Adults wanting low-impact play A modified, walking-pace version of the game
Urban Rec / J-Ball Casual or social players Alternative and social formats
All Abilities, Multicultural Programs and Events, LGBTQ+ Pride and Diversity Players wanting inclusive pathways Programs aimed at specific communities

For a child's first experience, Hookin2Hockey is the natural starting point. For an adult who wants to play without full-speed running, Walking Hockey is the relevant option. If you're unsure, How Do I Get Started? is designed to answer exactly that.

Step-by-step: from zero to registered

  1. Go to hockeyact.org.au and open the Play Hockey menu.
  2. Use Find A Club to identify a club near you. Club choice matters because it determines your training location, team, and competition entry.
  3. Read How Do I Get Started? to confirm which program fits your age and experience.
  4. Pick a program — Hookin2Hockey, a Holiday Clinic, or another entry option from the table above.
  5. Register through HACT Registration. The site's registration section covers Registration Terms and links to the registration system.
  6. Check the competition structure under Competitions once registered. HACT runs its own competitions plus Masters and Social Competitions, so there is a level for most players.
  7. Note the season calendar under News | Calendar so you know when your program or competition starts.

Expected result: after step 5 you should have a club affiliation and a program or competition place. If you reach registration and aren't sure which competition fits, the club you chose in step 2 is the right people to ask.

If you want to play beyond social level

Hockey ACT also lists pathways for players who progress:

  • Representative — outdoor and indoor team information, with separate pages for coaches and team officials.
  • Regional Programs, ACTAS, and the High Performance Hockey Program — development pathways.
  • Chill Academy Program — an academy route.
  • Coaches, Umpires and TO's — if you'd rather officiate or coach than play.

These are not entry points. They are what you move into after starting, so don't begin here unless you're already an experienced player relocating to the ACT.

Common sticking points

  • Choosing a club before a program. Clubs are the durable route into weekly hockey; programs are often short. If you want a season, sort the club first.
  • Assuming one program fits everyone. Hookin2Hockey, Holiday Clinics, Walking Hockey, and the inclusive programs serve different players. Match the program to the person, not the other way around.
  • Skipping the calendar. Competitions, come-and-try weekends, and themed rounds are listed under News | Calendar; checking it prevents turning up at the wrong time.
  • Registration questions. The HACT Registration section includes Registration Terms and a Team Vacancy List — useful if you want to join a team that needs players rather than forming your own route in.

Quick answer

Go to hockeyact.org.au → Play Hockey → Find A Club and How Do I Get Started?, choose Hookin2Hockey (or another program matching your age and needs), then register via HACT Registration. Children, juniors, adults, and players seeking inclusive or low-impact formats all have a listed pathway; representative and high-performance routes come later, once you're playing.