Dunedin Ice Hockey Association

Beginners

The Dunedin ice hockey season normally operates from late February to early November with various leagues, practices and game opportunities during that time. We have many options for beginners, below is a brief rundown of what we have to offer. For accurate times and schedules for these sessions/games, please visit the home page to check that they’re on at the moment or email the Dunedin Ice Hockey Association (DIHA) secretary.

Want to learn how to play hockey?

We have a range of options for new players (children and adults) to learn to play ice hockey We can provide all the equipment you need to learn to play, skates, a stick and a helmet, although we also recommend shin guards, elbow pads and gloves which are a requirement for competing in formal games.

Adult beginners practice (13+ years)

This practice is aimed at those players who have never played ice hockey before. Negligible skating ability is required, although you will need to be able to skate forward and preferably be able to turn (one direction will do); stopping is also a useful skill to have, but not a requirement. These practices normally consist of a series of short lessons/drills followed by a game. Most people who have been to one or two public sessions at the rink are usually good enough to attend the adult beginners practice.

Kiwi Hockey (under 13 years)

This practice is aimed at very young players (U13) who have not played before. This practice is organised by the Dunedin Ice Stadium however, not the Dunedin Ice Hockey Association. For more information please contact the Dunedin Ice Stadium at dunedinice@xtra.co.nz.

Online help?

For online coaching tips and a basic rundown on the rules, visit our tips section.

Want to compete?

So you’ve got the basics down now? You can skate forwards, turn both ways, stop and pass a puck? In that case you are ready to move into the big scary world of real games! Actually it’s not that scary at all, these competitions are all social, non-contact events.

Dunedin Ice Hockey League

The Dunedin Ice Hockey League (DIHL) Senior Non Checking (SNC) is the most popular league for players. All players can compete no matter what your skill level, body size or gender. Every season there are many competitors in the DIHL B-grade who have never played before, negligible skill is required although we usually recommend attending a couple of practices first (ie: adult beginners sessions) to ensure that you get the most out of the games.

High Schools League

The Dunedin high schools league is not organised by the Dunedin Ice Hockey Association. For more information either visit the schools league web page and/or contact Aaron Bryant at azzy_77@hotmail.com.

Other games

The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association organises various games throughout the season. These will be posted on this website when more information is available.

Want more ice time?

Once you’ve improved a bit, know the rules and your skating has improved a bit you can look at moving onward and upwards.

SNC practice (16+ years)

This practice is aimed at those players who have moved on from the adult beginners practice and want to take their skills to the next level. Players in this practice normally compete in the Dunedin Ice Hockey League (DIHL) B-grade but some of the better players do compete in the DIHL A-grade.

Dunedin peewees, midgets, juniors, senior non-checking and women teams

These teams are not aimed at beginners per se, they are the representative teams for Dunedin. These teams have weekly practices and compete in the Southern Ice Hockey League against teams from Gore, Queenstown, Maniototo and Alexandra. For more information, please contact the Dunedin Ice Hockey Association (DIHA) secretary.

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