Executive Summary
This review of the Junior Hockey programmes and competitions run by Hockey Manawatu was aimed at assessing whether those are in line with community needs and preferences, to the achievement of Hockey Manawatu’s Strategic Plan, and allows for the best opportunities to grow a solid hockey base for players who get hooked for life. The review therefore analyses the past and current delivery models for junior hockey in Manawatu and makes recommendations for a Junior Hockey Programme that achieves Hockey Manawatu’s strategic objectives.
A mixed research methodology, consisting of desktop research, consultations, collecting information from community surveys, and a specific Massey University research project, was used to ensure that it offers a wider net to gather relevant information to base conclusions and recommendations on.
This review summarises HMI’s junior hockey programmes, including in-school delivery programmes, competitions in summer and winter, age group development programmes, and participation programmes. It also shows the extent of the growth in junior hockey participation numbers (from 540 in 2010 to 2,376 in 2020). In particular, the growth from 1,112 participants in 2019 to 2,376 in 2020 is highlighted, analysed and compared to numbers participating in junior hockey in neighbouring associations/regions.
The changes in access to facilities and playing surfaces over the past few years, and its impact on participation numbers, skills development and community experiences are also analysed. Similarly, the different needs in relation to turf set-up, umpiring, coaching, volunteers, and equipment are considered to ensure that participants’ development and experiences are age and stage appropriate across the different offerings within the HMI junior hockey programme.
A SWOT analysis has been done to not only list the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the HMI junior hockey programme, but also to develop strategies to:
- Use its strengths to take advantage of opportunities.
- Pursue opportunities to reduce its weaknesses.
- Use its strengths to guard against threats; and
- Address its weaknesses to guard against threats.
Two separate community surveys were conducted as part of this research, the first asking input from junior players, and the second from coaches, parents, and schools. Responses were summarized in the report, and more detailed information appear in the Annexures.
The review also analyses hockey and other sporting programmes offered in the region as potential competitors for the same participants. These include hockey programmes across the wider region, as well as a range of indoor, outdoor, and special needs sports options and active recreation activities to choose from for junior participants.
Examples of junior hockey programmes offered by North Harbour, Canterbury, Tauranga, Otago and Waikato hockey associations (considered to be the most progressive and comprehensive programmes in New Zealand), as well as international junior programmes in Australia, the Netherlands, England and the USA are analysed to gauge what successful entities do in this space.
The review concludes with a proposed framework for junior hockey in Manawatu, which includes:
- In-school delivery programmes.
- A range of participation programmes to grow junior hockey numbers.
- Development programmes to help retain participants.
- Junior competitions that are balanced in terms of competitiveness, enjoyment, development, and community engagement.
- A snapshot of what resources will be required to deliver this programme.
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