Is your child ready to hit the ice? Ice hockey is a fun, fast-paced sport, and at IHACT, we welcome boys and girls of all ages and abilities to join our junior leagues, starting from 5 years old. It doesn’t matter if they have played before or are completely new to the ice, we will help them find a level to suit their needs.
Junior Age Divisions
Our junior leagues are organised by age and ability. It depends a little on exactky how many of each age group register in any given year, but generally we aim for the following divisions:
- Junior D: 5–9 years
- Junior C: 10–12 years
- Junior B: 13–15 years
- Junior A: 16–18 years
Our coaches assess all the players at the start of the season, and may move players between divisions depending on ability. A new player may play with a younger division for a time until getting to grips with the sport, while a talented player may play up into an older group for a greater challenge. Any player movements are initiate by the coaches and only take place with the approval of the player’s guardians and IHACT.
When is the Season?
Our season generally runs from March/April to September, with weekly games and mid-week training led by IHACT-accredited coaches. The season aligns with Terms 2 and 3 of the ACT public school calendar, and has breaks over the school holidays. Players develop skills in skating, puck handling, and sportsmanship, with younger divisions rotating through all positions to build a well-rounded game experience.
We follow non-checking rules (meaning no deliberate contact between players) in all junior leagues until Junior A, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for new and experienced players alike. Girls can also transition to the Women’s League from the age of 15.
Tournaments
In addition to our regular weekly leagues, IHACT offers junior players the chance to participate in tournaments across the country! These tournaments range from fun social events for younger players to the National Championships for older age groups.
IHACT regularly sends teams to these tournaments based on player interest. Tryouts and minimum skill levels may apply for certain events.
If your child is interested in taking their game to the next level, we’d love to hear from you! For more details, please contact junior.delegate@ihact.org.au
New to Ice Hockey? Start with Our Academy!
We offer Come & Try Days at the start and end of each season to let new players get a feel for the sport before comitting. We also have a pre-season 8-week Academy Program to introduce new players to skating and puck handling and get them ready for the regular season. All equipment is provided!
Don’t miss the chance to get involved in this exciting sport! For more information or to register, contact us at junior.delegate@ihact.org.au
See you on the ice!