What community and inclusion programs does Hockey ACT offer?

Hockey ACT runs a range of community and inclusion programs alongside its regular competitions, covering accessibility, cultural diversity, women and girls, LGBTQ+ inclusion, schools, and alternative formats of the game. The programs listed on its website include Walking Hockey, All Abilities, Multicultural Programs and Events, Women and Girls, LGBTQ+ Pride and Diversity, Schools Program, Urban Rec, J-Ball, Hookin2Hockey, and Holiday Clinics. It also marks themed rounds during the season, such as Reconciliation Round, Pride Round, Livin For Hockey Mental Health Round, and Chris MacKinnon Breast Cancer Awareness Round.

Inclusion and accessibility programs

These programs are aimed at people who may not otherwise take part in mainstream hockey competitions.

• Walking Hockey — a lower-intensity version of the sport, suited to participants who want to stay active with reduced physical demand.
• All Abilities — hockey opportunities designed for people with disability.
• Multicultural Programs and Events — initiatives that welcome and involve people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• LGBTQ+ Pride and Diversity — programs and signals of inclusion for LGBTQ+ participants and allies.
• Women and Girls — dedicated pathways and opportunities for female participation.

If you are unsure which of these fits your situation, the program names map fairly directly onto the audience: Walking Hockey for reduced intensity, All Abilities for disability-inclusive play, and the others by community group.

Entry points for new and casual players

Hockey ACT lists several ways to try the sport without committing to a full competition season:

• Hookin2Hockey — the introductory program for newcomers, typically the first step into the sport.
• Holiday Clinics — short, scheduled sessions during school holidays.
• Schools Program — hockey delivered through schools.
• Urban Rec — a social, recreational format.
• J-Ball — another listed participation format.

These sit alongside the main "Play Hockey" pathway, which includes finding a club and joining competitions. If your goal is simply to try hockey, Hookin2Hockey, a Holiday Clinic, or Urban Rec are the most direct starting points; if you want regular competitive play, the club and competition route is the relevant one.

Themed rounds and awareness events

Hockey ACT's calendar includes rounds tied to inclusion and community causes, including:

These rounds are scheduled within the season calendar rather than being standalone programs, so they are worth checking if you want to take part in or support a particular cause.

How to decide what suits you

• Want to try hockey casually or with lower intensity: Walking Hockey, Urban Rec, Hookin2Hockey, or a Holiday Clinic.
• Looking for disability-inclusive hockey: All Abilities.
• New to the area or from a multicultural background: Multicultural Programs and Events.
• Female participant or coach: Women and Girls.
• LGBTQ+ participant or ally: LGBTQ+ Pride and Diversity, plus Pride Round.
• School-aged and want hockey through school: Schools Program.

Program availability, dates, and registration details are not fully specified in the source material, so confirm current offerings directly through Hockey ACT before relying on any single program being open at a given time.