About Minkey
Minkey is a modified version of full field hockey. The smaller fields and mixed teams allow players to develop good hockey and team skills, prior to transitioning to play full field hockey in Year 5.
The Westside Wolves Minkey program at College Park is thought to be the largest in Australia with almost 15 local schools and averaging 80 teams participating and has been running for nearly 30 years.
Developing good spirit of the game is paramount and therefore there is no ladder or scoring. It is essential that parents of players and coaches remember that this may be the first time for many children in a team sport and so it needs to be a positive experience.
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The Season
Westside Wolves Minkey is held on Saturday mornings at College Park, Princess Road Claremont. The 11 game season commences on 5th May and concludes on 11th August, with a break for the Foundation Day long weekend at the beginning of June and a 3 week break for the July School holidays.
Grading
Minkey is based on the following year levels:
School Years 1 - Junior - Starts 9.00am
School Years 2 & 3 - Intermediate – Starts 10.15am
School Years 4 Nines - Starts 9.00am
NB. Year 4’s playing Nines will receive priority registration for Year 5 hockey at Wolves in 2018.
Uniform
Players in all levels (i.e. Junior, Intermediate, and Nines) are organised into school-based teams and play in their school colours or uniform of choice. Each team has an on-field coach, and an off-field manager. You can only have 1 coach on the field.
Players MUST have their own stick, mouthguard, shin pads and personal drink bottle. Cost effective sporting equipment can be sourced from our sponsor “Just Hockey”.
Teams need to have a first aid kit with Ice and Band-Aids. Spare ice is held at the Pavilion – ask at the canteen. We will also have boil-and-bite mouthguards and shinpads for sale at the canteen.
Fees
‘Early Bird’ Fees are $125 per player and are inclusive of Coaching Information, Sport Insurance and the provision of an Umpire for each game. Registrations taken after the Early Bird fee closes incur a late payment fee of $25.
All players must register online with payment to be made at the time of booking. Unregistered players are not insured to play should an injury occur. NB. All refunds will incur an administration fee of $25. Early bird registration opens on 8th February 2017 and closes on 24th March 2017. Late registration opens on 25th March 2017.
Rules
Junior and Intermediate teams play on a “quarter field” format and can have up to 10 players with 7 on the field at one time. There are two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute interval.
Nines teams play on a “three quarter” field format and can have up to 12 players with 9 players on the field at one time. There are two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute interval. The ‘Nines’ game play introduces ‘hitting’ and ‘short corners’. Copies of the Rules can be downloaded from the Wolves website at
Code of Conduct
Minkey is formed on the premise of children having fun with their team members and being active while learning hockey skills. Over competitiveness and unsportsmanlike behaviour from players, coaches, managers and/or spectators is very much frowned upon.
Good role modelling is expected from all adults attending the games. Poor behaviour will not be tolerated either on or off the pitch. Please make yourself familiar with the Code of Conduct on the Wolves website at
Player Holiday Skills Clinic
There is a 3 day Holiday Clinic on 16th, 17th and 18th April at Cresswell Park Swanbourne which is open to players from Years 1 - 6.
We aim to attract some fantastic coaches and provide level appropriate skills and technique for each age group.
For new players to Minkey, it is an excellent introduction to the game before the season commences. This clinic has limited places available and is always a sell-out. Ensure you book early to secure a place.
Mouthguards
All players MUST have mouthguards. We follow a No mouthguard, No play policy at Wolves and this has to be strictly adhered to at all times.
A Custom Fitted Mouthguard should be a consideration for your playing child. Aside from better tooth protection a Custom Fitted Mouthguard has additional benefits over a boil-and-bite. Custom mouthguards stay in place, are less likely to be chewed or popped out into a hand. They also allow for better breathing and players can talk and communicate much better.
Our mouthguard sponsor, Game Guardian will hold a mouthguard impression morning at F-H-E, 18 Graylands Road on Saturday 24th March from 8.30am – 11.30am.
It is advisable to order your mouthguard online prior to this date which will save you a lot of time on the day. For those choosing a custom mouthguard, impressions will be taken at this time and the mouthguards will be delivered to your home address in time for the Holiday Clinic.
Call your Health Insurer for details of rebates. If you have private health cover, large rebates can apply, making a custom mouthguard extremely good value.
Equipment
In addition to a mouthguard, all players must wear shin pads. These can be purchased from Just Hockey at 18 Graylands Road, Claremont.
Just Hockey also offer various Minkey and junior packs that include sticks, balls and bags.
Hockey stick size is important. The staff at Just Hockey all play the game and will assist with appropriate stick sizing.
When selecting shin pads please consider those with ankle protection. The game of hockey is played at ground level. If shins, ankles and toes are well protected your child will be set up to take on the game with much reduced risk of discomfort.
These Minkey Packs are priced very cost effectively for entry level players.
No need to make a special trip, you can get it all at the one time.
General Enquiries
For general Minkey enquiries, please contact Westside Wolves Minkey Coordinator
Phil Curtis at
or 0411 422 639 (email preferred).
NEW IN 2016 – CONTINUING IN 2018
Kindy/Pre-Primary Skills-based Sessions
We are once again running a skills-based session for those keen Kindy and Pre-primary students wanting to learn some hockey skills.
At the end of each session mini games will be included to introduce children the concept of match play.
Our senior and junior club members are rostered on to help with these sessions throughout the season and we encourage parents to assist each Saturday morning.
No teams will be required, nor uniforms. Parents may register their child individually and appropriate groupings will be made each Saturday morning.
Registration can be done at the same time as registering other children at the same link
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
MINKEY PLAYER REGISTRATIONS 2018
All player registrations are taken online through the Wolves Website. No paper registrations are accepted.
Please go to where you can click on the link. All family members playing Minkey can be registered at the same time.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS WILL CLOSE AT 12 MIDNIGHT THURSDAY 31stMARCH
Late registrations will incur a fee of $25.
All refunds will incur a fee of $25 administration cost.
Following the registration closing date, school coordinators will collate the teams and notify you of your team, coach and training session time.
HOLIDAY CLINIC REGISTRATIONS
PRIMARY SCHOOL AGED HOLIDAY CLINIC REGISTRATIONS YEARS 1-6
All Holiday Clinic registrations will be taken online through the Wolves Website.
Last year we were over-subscribed for this very popular clinic so please ensure you book as soon as possible to ensure a place. After the cut-off date or when maximum numbers are reached, whichever is the sooner, bookings WILL close. No bookings will be taken after this date, however there will be a waitlist should there be cancellations.
Clinic Dates: 16th, 17th and18th April
Time: 9am – 11am
Cost: $95 for the first child in a family
$85 for the second child in a family
$75 for subsequent children in the same family
Registrations close Monday 9th April at 12 midnight or sooner if places are filled. PLACES ARE LIMITED – WE RECOMMEND YOU BOOK EARLY.
Please go to where you can click on the link.
Westside Wolves Hookin2Hockey (Minkey) 2018 Calendar
IMPORTANT DATES