Ice Hockey New Zealand has taken a major step forward in building the next generation of Kiwi players with the launch of the Kiwi Ice Hockey School, a new national programme designed to give young players their best start on the ice. Aimed at Under 9 and Under 12 players, the initiative combines fun, skill development, and a pathway to high performance — and it’s already making waves in the local hockey community.
“We’ve spoken of a national learn-to-play model for a couple of years,” says Paris Heyd, General Manager of Ice Hockey New Zealand. “There was some really good activity happening in different clubs, and we wanted to take that and share it across the country. The idea of a Hockey School was a way to package and market our Learn to Play programme and the early stages of our player development pathway. Under 9 and Under 12 is so critical for everything we do. Giving kids a great start to their hockey career is essential to help them achieve their dreams in hockey, whatever they may be. The Hockey School is a platform for us to support the clubs, build resilience and consistency across the country, and ultimately ensure we always have the next generation of hockey players coming through.”
What sets the Kiwi Ice Hockey School apart from previous youth hockey initiatives is its clarity and structure. While great ideas often spark excitement and then fizzle, this programme was carefully designed to endure. “We didn’t launch on a whim,” Heyd explains. “We did our homework — spoke to all regions, got input from USA Hockey, and worked out our messaging and delivery channels. It’s a model that can be delivered in any club and ticks all the boxes of a great youth sport programme. A lot of credit has to go to AJ (AJ Spiller) on the sport side and Michael (Michael Domigan) in creative and design. They did an excellent job of taking a lot of information and ideas and producing something that works for everyone.”
The programme isn’t just about fun and games. It lays the foundation for both grassroots participation and high-performance development. “The number one factor in helping kids achieve their potential is keeping them in the sport,” Heyd says. “And kids stay because they love it. By making it fun, the Hockey School attracts kids, keeps them coming back, and ultimately puts them on the pathway to becoming the best players they can be.”
Even in its early stages, the programme is earning praise from clubs and participants alike. A standout initiative has been giving every registered player their first New Zealand jersey. “It’s a little thing, but as a kid, getting your first national jersey is powerful. It builds aspiration — maybe one day they’ll wear another one representing New Zealand on the world stage,” Heyd notes, thanking Centre Ice for their support. More than 600 kids already in the age group received their jerseys when the programme launched, a gesture designed to attract players and keep them engaged from the very start.
While it’s still early days, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Clubs appreciate the consistency and support, and young players are excited to hit the ice with a jersey of their own. Looking ahead, Heyd has ambitious plans for the programme. “It will be the cornerstone of everything we do. Without a continual stream of young players, we won’t have leagues or future programmes. Attracting as many Under 9 and Under 12 players as possible and giving them the right start is the foundation for everything else. It has been super exciting to finally see this concept take shape, but now the real work starts. Words on a piece of paper are great, but the real results come from being consistent in our approach and supporting clubs to deliver and grow the Hockey School and the next generation of players.”
For young players keen to get involved, the Kiwi Ice Hockey School is more than just a programme — it’s a first step toward a lifelong hockey journey.