Join us at the 2026 Stand Out Cup
Published Thu 11 Dec 2025
2026 Stand Out Cup Team Entry are Open!
Who is preparing for another fantastic Stand Out Cup… I know we are!
Hockey Victoria (HV) are keen to announce that team registrations are open for the 2026 Stand Out Cup (SOC). Held on Sunday, 22 February 2026, we are very excited to return to Essendon Hockey Centre after three years with Footscray.
This event has become a highlight early in the calendar year and we are truly amazed at the support for the LGBTQI+ community year-on-year from the Victorian Hockey Community.
Proud 2 Play will join us once again continuing our longstanding partnership. We cannot wait to see the team and to help them provide essential support, create awareness, and raise funds for LGBTQI+ community members,
The SOC is a key driver of HV’s commitment towards changing attitudes, promoting positive language and policies to ensure that LGBTQI+ people feel welcome, comfortable and recognised in today’s game. The event is a safe space for all with the commitment from all Affiliates and guests making this an important day to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.
2026 Grading Information:
Like 2025, we will look to seek as much parity across grades to ensure more enjoyable competition for all participants.
There will be 4 senior grades along with 2 junior grades. We will work to fill each grade with an appropriate number of teams to create an enjoyable, yet competitive day for all.
Questions will be outlined within the event registration to help determine which grade is most suitable. HV will contact each team in the lead up to the event to discuss their grade placement and ensure your team is comfortable with the allocation.
We will account for previous years positioning and results to look to assign teams to a grade that they can comfortably enjoy on the day.
Note: players aged 15 - 18 who can play in the Junior Grade, can also play in the Senior Grades.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday, 22 February 2026
- Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm*
- TBA - depending on fixturing. Targeted 4pm finish.
- Location: 1 Hockey Ln, Ascot Vale VIC 3032
- Team entry link: https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/events/328805
Event format:
All teams will play a minimum of three matches plus a final (if they finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in their division). Hockey 5’s format with modified rules. Five players on the field of play with no goalie and mini goals.
Gradings:
- A grade: A division recommended for higher level hockey players who would prefer a more competitive format on the day.
- B grade: A division recommended for hockey players who are looking for a less competitive format of the day.
- C Grade: A division recommend for hockey players who are simply looking for a fun day with friends and their fellow opposition
- D grade: A social division designed for new or re-engaging hockey members, along with external organisations.
- 10 - 14 years Junior Grade: Aged for participants 14 years and younger.
- 15 - 18 years Junior Grade: Aged for participants between 15 and 18 years.
Rules:
· All matches will be played on modified pitches with Hockey5s rules.
· No goalies on the field. A on-field player can function as a makeshift goalie using their stick to stop a ball from being scored.
· Players can score from anywhere.
· 2025 Update: When playing off a whistle, players must pass the ball two meters before having a shot on goal.
· Ball cannot be raised above knee height.
· Players can only push the ball. No hitting or slap hitting.
· If the ball goes pass the baseline or over the barriers, it is the defending team’s free hit.
· Players taking a free hit cannot forcefully pass the ball through a defensive players body.
· Non-contact event. No intentional body contact allowed. Players can tackle with their stick only.
· Sticks should not be lifted above knee height at any time.
Eligibility:
The SOC is an all-gendered event. A, B C & D Grades are open for participants aged 18 years and older. The 2x Junior Grades are open to children aged between 10-14 years of age, and 15 - 18 years of age.
Team Entry:
Senior team entry fee is $390.50 (including GST) per team (5-10 players). Junior team entry is $280.50 (including GST) per team. Team entries close Sunday, 8 February at 11:59pm.
The team entry fee covers Participant Insurance, Pitch Hire, Umpires Fees, and SOC merchandise for each participant within your team.
Team Entry Invoicing:
Team entry invoicing will not occur until after the event (from Monday, 23 February 2026 onwards), meaning there is no registration fee at the point of registering a team. There will be a 14-day window to make payment from here.
Team Entries will close Sunday, 8 February at 11:59pm. Please restrict from over entering teams in the lead up to the SOC and then pulling out the week of the event.
Any team that pulls out the week of Monday, 16 February 2026 will incur a $150 late withdrawal fee. This means they will be a one-week period of Monday, 9 February to Sunday, 15 February to withdraw without receiving the $150 late withdrawal fee.
Officiating:
If you are interested in officiating at the Stand Out Cup, please complete an EOI here - https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/surveys/9737
Like previous years, we'll be taking the Hockey 5's approach and modifying the rules to the SOC level we have played in previous years. These will be updated and provided to you in the lead up to the event.
It is very easy officiating with matches being straightforward to manage, fun and upbeat, and do not require much movement at all for the umpire as the field is very small. The day is a social event with our umpires adding an extra layer of camaraderie on the day.
This umpiring opportunity is perfect for younger and older umpires as the games are over quickly, fields are small, and the rules are very easy to apply. There are various grades (Junior 10 - 14 years, 15 - 18 years, A - D Grade), that will allow a level of comfortability for any level of experience for an umpire.
We look forward to you joining us in promoting the importance of making sport a safe place for all!
There will also be plenty of activities on the day for the whole family to enjoy.
We look forward to seeing you there!
