Hockey New Zealand Launches on CoachMate to Support Grassroots Coaching
Hockey New Zealand has officially launched on the free coaching and team management app CoachMate, marking an important step forward in supporting the country’s volunteer coaches and strengthening the delivery of community hockey.
The launch forms part of Hockey NZ’s ongoing commitment to building a nationally aligned coaching environment that helps coaches develop, grow and inspire the hockey whānau. By bringing Hockey New Zealand’s coaching resources into CoachMate, volunteers across clubs and schools now have simple, practical tools to help plan sessions and deliver engaging experiences for players of all ages.
Supporting Coaches Where It Matters Most
Community sport in Aotearoa relies heavily on volunteers. Many coaches step into the role with little preparation time and limited access to practical resources.
The CoachMate platform has been designed to address this challenge by placing Hockey NZ-aligned practice plans, activities, and coaching tips directly into the hands of coaches on their mobile devices.
The content inside the app is designed specifically for the Foundation player stage, helping coaches deliver enjoyable and development-focused sessions that support young players as they learn the game.
Bringing the Hockey NZ Coaching Framework to Life
The Hockey NZ content inside CoachMate aligns closely with the organisation’s coaching philosophy and development frameworks.
Activities and practice plans support the Player Competency Framework, helping players develop both Kiwi Spirit and Hockey Ability through engaging activities. The programme also reflects the Modern Skill Learning approach, using game-based activities and constraints-led principles to support individual and team development.
The result is a coaching experience that focuses on:
Creating enjoyable environments for players
Supporting skill development through play
Helping volunteers deliver quality sessions with confidence
CoachMate activities are also designed to work in a wide range of environments with minimal equipment, supporting Hockey NZ’s Spaces and Places strategy and making hockey more accessible for schools and community programmes.
Modern Tools for the Grassroots Game
The introduction of CoachMate gives Hockey NZ coaches access to:
Ready-made practice plans aligned with Hockey NZ programmes
Video-based activities
Simple session planning tools
Bite-sized learning resources to support coach development
Team communication tools for coaches and caregivers
By combining practical coaching support with easy-to-use digital tools, CoachMate helps volunteers spend less time planning and more time creating positive experiences for players.
Strengthening the Future of Community Hockey
The partnership between Hockey New Zealand and CoachMate reflects a shared commitment to supporting volunteers and creating great sporting environments for young people.
By making Hockey NZ resources more accessible and easier to use, the platform helps ensure that coaches across the country feel confident, supported, and connected to the wider hockey community.
Hockey NZ now joins a growing group of national sporting organisations on the platform, including New Zealand Football, Basketball New Zealand, Golf New Zealand, BMX New Zealand, Halberg Train, New Zealand Rugby League, Cricket Australia and Golf Australia.
CoachMate is available to download for free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
