Hockey Victoria is delighted to announce State Netball Hockey Centre and Footscray Hockey Centre as hosts of the 2026 XR Elements Junior State Championships.

U12 Hockey 5s JSC:

·        Wednesday, 1st & Thursday, 2nd July 2026 at Footscray Hockey Centre

U14 & U16 JSC:

·        Friday, 3rd July – Sunday, 5th July 2026 at State Netball Hockey Centre & Footscray Hockey Centre

U18 JSC:

·        Saturday, 19^th to Monday, 21^st September 2026 at State Netball Hockey Centre  

Please note:

• The Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 age groups will only run for 3 days.
• The Under 12s will run in the two days prior to the Under 14s and Under 16s. This not only means that more Hockey 5s fields can be set up (as there is access to two full field pitches for the duration of the Event), but it also means that the Under 14s and Under 16s can fit into the 3 days. It is not possible to have the Under 12s running at the same time as Under 14s and Under 16s if we want those age groups to run over 3 days.
• The Under 12s will again run as Hockey 5s, but with some rule modifications.
• The Under 18 JSC will run in September once more and this will be reviewed again following next years event.

Player Nominations

Player Nominations for the 2026 XR Elements Junior State Championships will open around mid-Janurary 2026, with Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 trials likely to be held between Sunday, 12^th April and Sunday, 19^th April 2026. Zone Coordinators will select the desired dates/times within this timeframe.

Under 18 trials are to be held on Sunday, 12^th July 2026

The 2026 Junior State Championships fixture will be updated closer to the 2026 event:

2026 U12 - U16 Junior State Championships Fixture - TBC

2026 Under 18 Junior State Championships Fixture - TBC

2026 Zone Coordinator Applications

As we move to 2026, Hockey Victoria (HV) are on the lookout for Junior State Championships (JSC) Zone Coordinators for the new year. We offer a variety of roles across Zones to help provide support and flexibility to ensure our Junior Participants have a memorable experience across the JSC!

The Zone Coordinator is the head leadership role for within a JSC Zone. Depending on the Zone, we welcome roles for Co-Zone Coordinators to share the role instead of having a single Zone Coordinator in place. Lastly, there is the opportunity for an Assistant Zone Coordinator in some instances where a Zone may already have a Coordinator in place.

We highly encourage all Zones to have two Coordinators sharing the duties across the JSC as it helps effectively cover various teams across each age group. It will also assist the Coordinators in easing the responsibilities across periods during the JSC.

In 2026, some Zones already have a Coordinator locked in for the year, please refer to the positions filled and on offer in the table below:

Please note, applications remain open until Sunday, 18 January 2026 or until a suitable candidate if found for the role. 

Please read your desired Position Description attached above and apply via the options below:

·        Apply direct via the link here

·        Via email to Keegan Watson at kwatson@hockeyvictoria.org.au

Reminder - applications close Sunday, 18 January 2026 or until a suitable candidate is found for the role. We encourage you to apply immediately if you are interested.  

Should you have any queries about the roles on offer, please contact either Keegan Watson (kwatson@hockeyvictoria.org.au) or Ben Seccull (bseccull@hockeyvictoria.org.au).  

Zone Player nominations for the 2026 Junior State Championships will open around Mid-January 2026. Please see below for relevant links.

*Nominations for the Under 18 teams will strictly close at a yet to be determined date/time.

2026 Zone Coach Nominations will open in Mid-January 2026!

All Zones will appoint a Head Coach and Assistant Coach for each of their Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 teams. All Under 12 Hockey 5s teams will just have a Head Coach. 

Coaches will be responsible for delivering team training sessions (8 - 10 contact hours in total), coaching the team at the Event and provide an opportunity for all players to develop and have fun. For more information (including gratuity payment amounts) and to nominate, please use the appropriate link below:

2026 Regional Zone Coach nominations - https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/events/330557

2026 Metropolitan Zone Coach nominations – https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/events/330547

Nomination Closing Dates

Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18 coaching nomination will close on the Wednesday prior to the trial date of each respective Zone date.

Please check your respective Zone player nomination link further above to determine trial dates.

I.e. Zone trials on Sunday, 29 March, coaching nominations close Wednesday, 25 March 2026. Trials on Sunday, 19 April, coaching nominations close on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

Working with Children Check Requirements

All coaches that are 18 years of age or older must hold a valid WWCC or VIT card. If you do not currently hold one, you must apply for one and be approved or you will not be eligible to be appointed. 

You can apply for a WWCC through this link - https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/individuals/applicants/how-to-apply 

If you have a WWCC and are yet to link it with Hockey Victoria as an orgination, please do so at your earliest convenience by following these steps:

1. Visit http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/
2. Go to ‘MyCheck Login’
3. Log in via ‘Email’ & ‘Password’
4. Click ‘Change My Details’ (Located Left Hand Side of Page)
5. Locate ‘Organisation Details’
6. ‘Add An Organisation’
7. Enter the details in relation to the business (Hockey Victoria)
   ‘Update’ 

Once this has been updated, Hockey Victoria (HV) will receive the individuals WWCC details in the mail.

2026 Outdoor Event Officiating Information

Expressions of interest to officiate at the 2025 Hockey Victoria Outdoor Events are not currently open.

Important Information for Officials

Further information on officiating at the 2026 Junior State Championships will be shared via EOI. Please ensure you read through this information BEFORE submitting an EOI to officiate at the Junior State Championships. 

EOI Closing Dates & Links

From 2020, all JSC uniforms will be produced by GAME Clothing (the same supplier that manufacture the HV State Team Uniforms).

Those that have existing shorts, skorts and socks from the previous supplier can continue to use them. But those requiring new shorts, skorts and socks will need to purchase them through GAME Clothing (further details provided once teams are selected).

All selected players receive a new playing shirt or Goalkeeper smock (as applicable) included in their fee to participate, these will all be produced by Game Clothing. Players will be required to provide their size for these items when they nominate. 

Selected players will be emailed with a link to purchase all other uniform items through the Game Clothing online shope. 

When providing your size for your shirt or GK smocks through the nominations, please refer to the below sizing charts:

GOALKEEPER SMOCK SIZING CHART

PLAYING SHIRT SIZING CHART - MEN'S & CHILDREN'S SIZES

PLAYING SHIRT SIZING CHART - WOMEN'S SIZES

2025 Zone Teams

2024 Zone Teams

2023 Zone Teams

2025 Champions

Under 12 Girls - North East Red Devils (Red)

Under 14 Girls - North West Tigers

Under 16 Girls - North East Red Devils

Under 18 Girls - Eastern Hotshots

Under 12 Boys - Eastern Hotshots (Green)

Under 14 Boys - Western Wildcats

Under 16 Boys - Central Flames

Under 18 Boys - North East Red Devils

2024 Champions

Under 12 Girls - Western Wildcats

Under 14 Girls - North West Tigers

Under 16 Girls - North West Tigers

Under 18 Girls - North West Tigers

Under 12 Boys - North East Red Devils (Red)

Under 14 Boys - North East Red Devils

Under 16 Boys - North West Tigers

Under 18 Boys - North East Red Devils

2023 Champions

Under 12 Girls - North West Tigers (Roar)

Under 14 Girls - Eastern Hotshots

Under 16 Girls - North East Red Devils

Under 18 Girls - Central Flames

Under 12 Boys - North East Red Devils (Red)

Under 14 Boys - Central Flames

Under 16 Boys - Western Wildcats

Under 18 Boys - Central Flames

2022 Champions

Under 13 Girls - Western Wildcats

Under 15 Girls - Eastern Hotshots

Under 18 Girls - Eastern Hotshots

Under 13 Boys - North West Tigers

Under 15 Boys - Central Flames

Under 18 Boys - Eastern Hotshots

2021 Champions

Under 13 Girls - Eastern Hotshots

Under 15 Girls - Gippsland Bulls

Under 18 Girls - Eastern Hotshots

Under 13 Boys - North East Red Devils

Under 15 Boys - Western Wildcats

Under 18 Boys - Western Wildcats

For some helpful resources on Hockey 5s, please click here.

To check out a short video on Hockey 5s, please click here. 

Key Rule Differences between Hockey 5's & 11-a-side (2024 version) -  please click here.