Under 16’s.
Under 16 Representative Programme
Under 16’s is the first age group where players can represent Bay of Plenty. Bay of Plenty aims to enter teams in both the National tournament and also the Northern Regional Festival where Development teams have an opportunity to gain tournament experience.
The U16 age group has an important place within the development of young players, as they enter the ‘train to develop’ stage. Children become capable of implementing feedback and the foundation of all basic skills is cemented. Players will need to keep polishing basic techniques and need to be challenged with more complex techniques and decision making to further their development. Players in the ‘train to develop’ stage need to learn to train more deliberately and need to start making the translation from training to games.
Development Pathway & Tournament Opportunities
To help make that translation, practice games, tournaments and festivals become significant tools that allow us to deliberately prioritise participation, development and growth—including the re-introduced National Tournament alongside Festivals for development teams.
Talent and early ability at this age are no guarantees for future success. Taking late developers and the relative age effect into account, BOPHA aims to provide more players at this age an opportunity for holistic development. Although the U16 Development Programme has a more inclusive nature, players will still need to show commitment and the appropriate attitude to be part of the programme. Players will need to demonstrate the physical and technical abilities that are required to keep up with the desired level of the programme.
2026 Under 16’s Information.
Tournament details .
In 2026 there will a Men’s and Women’s team for both a National U16 tournament as well as a U16 Festival for development teams.
Under 16 Men.
VENUE: Auckland
DATES: 3rd to 8th October 2026
Under 16 Women.
VENUE: Christchurch
DATES: 3rd to 7th October 2026
Eligibility.
To be eligible for the National U16 tournament players will need to be aged 14 or 15 as at the 1st January 2026. For the Under 16 Festival players need to simply be under the age of 16 as at 1st January 2026.
Fees.
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2026 Under 16 Fees
$1250
Please note an initial deposit of $125 is required after selection.
Players are required to have a Paladin Bay of Plenty Hockey Hoodie, if you do not already have one please purchase from the Paladin Club Shop.Unless a payment plan is agreed with Bay of Plenty Hockey Association all fees must be paid in full 2 week prior to the tournament.
Failure to make payment or discuss a payment plan may result in players being withdrawn from tournament teams.
To discuss a payment plan, please email our Finance Administrator admin@bophockey.co.nz
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2026 Under 16 Development Fees
$550
Please note an initial deposit of $50 is required after selection.
Unless a payment plan is agreed with Bay of Plenty Hockey Association all fees must be paid in full 2 week prior to the tournament.
Failure to make payment or discuss a payment plan may result in players being withdrawn from tournament teams.
To discuss a payment plan, please email our Finance Administrator admin@bophockey.co.nz
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Fee Inclusions
All travel costs, tournament entry fees, accommodation and food are included in the fees.
• Training Top
• Bay of Plenty Playing socks
• Bay of Plenty Water Bottle
Player Merchandise .
REQUIRED ITEMS:
Training tops, included in 2026 Fees. These shirts will be provided to players following selection and payment of deposit
All Players in the 2026 Under 16 National teams are required to have a Paladin Bay of Plenty Hockey Hoodie or Pullover for the tournament. Players who do not already have one or who would like a larger size can order from the Paladin Club Shop.
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
Additional Bay of Plenty Hockey Merchandise can be viewed and ordered from the Paladin Sports Bay of Plenty Hockey Club Site. The site is currently open for pre-orders and will close in May 2026.
Registration.
OPENS: TO BE CONFIRMED
DATES: TO BE CONFIRMED
**Please note the register now button will only be available to click once registration has opened.