Pathways exist for player’s coaches and officials in Australia to advance from local, state based competitions to national championships and leagues and ultimately to international competitions such as world championships and the Olympics.

 Pathways for Players

Players can participate in ice hockey at the recreational level right through to high level national and international competition.  Typically, players enter the sport through a learn 2 play program run by their local State Association.  From there they will play in age categorised local competitions and will have opportunities to be selected to represent their State at National Championships. Ice hockey Australia also offers development events such as the McCrae-Williamson Jamboree for 7-11 year olds and a range of national development camps for both boys and girls.  Players on the competitive pathway will have opportunities to play in national leagues such as the AJIHL, AWIHL and AIHL.  From here, players may be selected to represent Australia at world championships in the U18 men and women, the U20 men, and the men and women categories.

Pathways for Coaches

Pathways for Officials

Game Officials are an integral part of the game of ice hockey and are involved at all levels from recreational hockey right through to high level national and international competition.  Typically, players with an interest in officiating enter the program and learn the basic competencies required to be a successful official and officiate in age categorised local competitions within their State Association. Officials can continue to build their competencies to develop HockeyIQ/OfficiatingIQ and move into officiating local age categorised checking competitions, as well as Youth, Junior, and Women’s hockey. Officials can continue extending their skillset and move into Men’s checking competitions, followed by nomination and participation within the IIHF Championship Program.