Our YVHC Junior players have a number of opportunities to be selected (and represent our Club) in various forms of representative hockey teams and competitions at the regional, state, and national levels. And in recent years, many of our talented Junior players have had some tremendous success in making teams at all of these levels.

Taking part in representative teams outside of the Club level is an excellent way for our Junior players to get some extra coaching and develop their hockey skills, and the Club encourages all of our aspiring boys and girls, across all age groups, to consider nominating for these teams.

Although each of these representative competitions are self-funded, YVHC aims to provide extra training for those children that have nominated. Watch out for notices of these coaching sessions from the Club throughout the year.

The pathways for these opportunities may be confusing for players and parents, particularly those newer to hockey. To help explain what’s available, we’ve outlined some basic information on the three main forms of representative competitions and teams below. If you have any questions, please contact Paula Butcher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Richard Noonan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Junior State Championships (JSC)  — North West Metro Tigers team

The JSC is an annual outdoor competition, comprising boys and girls teams from 10 zones across the state of Victoria in three age groups (U13, U15 and U18). It is usually held over one week during the mid-year school holidays. ***POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19***

YVHC is part of the so-called North West Metro Tigers (Tigers) metropolitan team or zone. The Tigers typically select separate boys and girls teams in each age group (U13, U15 and U18) from a number of clubs, including: Yarra Valley, Brunswick, Essendon, Latrobe Uni, Melton, and PEGS. Following selection trials, the Tigers usually compete against five other metro teams and four country/regional teams in a round-robin-style competition with finals.

2020: Nominations to trial for our Tigers team are now open and will strictly close on April 15 for U15s and U18s and on April 22 for U13s. In 2020, the JSC events will take place on July 2-5 at Shepparton (for boys) and Bendigo (for girls) in all age groups (U13, U15 and U18). Check out the JSC page on the Hockey Vic website for more information and updates. ***POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19***

We encourage all YVHC players playing at either Shield or Pennant level to nominate for JSC. If you are unsure, please talk to your coach.

 Hockey Victoria State Teams — Australian Championships

Outdoor Australian Championships: The Australian Championships is an annual national outdoor competition, comprising State and Territory-based boys and girls teams from across the nation in three age groups (U13, U15 and U18).

The timing for nominations and trials for Victoria’s state teams differ for each age group, and may change from year-to-year, so you need to check the High Performance section of the Hockey Vic website for updates and follow Hockey Vic on social media. To be eligible for selection, players need to nominate and be assessed by Hockey Vic selectors via their Academy program or Elite Skill Development Days. You do not necessarily need to be part of the Academy to be selected.

2020: While selection processes for Hockey Vic Outdoor state teams in the U15 and U18 age groups have already passed for 2020, nominations for players in the U13 age group are scheduled to open in mid-2020. See the 2020 Australian Championships calendar here. ***POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19***

Indoor National Championships: Hockey Vic also select Indoor State teams, with selection trials for all age groups (U13, U15 and U18) typically commencing after the end of the annual Outdoor Hockey Vic competitions. The national indoor competition for all age groups is typically held in January each year. Check out the Indoor State Team web page for more information.

School Sports Victoria (SSV) representative teams

The government-funded SSV body (separate to Hockey Vic) also selects state-level teams (both boys and girls teams in the U12 and U16 age groups) to compete in the annual School Sport Australia (SSA) Hockey Championships. The timing for nominations and trials for SSV’s state teams differ for each age group, and may change from year-to-year, so you need to check the SSV website for updates.

2020: Nominations to trial for SSV teams (both U12s and U16s) are scheduled to open on March 1, with the national competitions for 2020 taking place in August. For more details and information about nominating your child for an SSV team, please visit the SSV website. ***POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19***