Schools Competition General Info

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When and where it is played
Who plays
How it is played
Equipment needed
Cost
About the sport
Glove making instructions

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When and where it is played

• Monday nights 7.30 to 8.30pm
• Hobart Aquatic Centre

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Who plays

• Junior teams – grade 7 & 8
• Senior teams – grade 9 &10
• Generally a school makes up a team, however, as we have an emphasis on participation teams involving a mix of students from two or more schools are acceptable.
• Each team has 6 players in the water playing at one time, with up to 4 substitute players able to sub in and out of the pool during the game. A minimum of 4 players is required for a game otherwise the team will forfeit. It is recommend that each team has at least 8 players available to play to ensure players don’t get too tired when playing and that each team has 6 playing members along to each game (some may be away due to sickness etc)

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How it is played

• Underwater hockey is played on the bottom of the pool (2m deep, approx 20m long x 15m wide) with a “white” team of 6 players against a “black” team. 
• The games consist of two 12 minute halves with 2 minutes between halves.
• The aim of the game is to get the puck (lead puck similar to an ice hockey puck) to the goals which are situated at each end of the pool. The teams start at opposite ends of the pool with the puck in the middle, the game begins with both teams racing to the middle to get possession of the puck.
• Referees swim in the water and stop play by taking possession of the puck. 
• The teams generally have a “forwards” and “backs” set up (similar to field hockey and soccer). As players must hold their breath play the puck and then surface for air, teamwork is essential.

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Equipment needed:

• Mask and snorkel
• Water polo cap – with ear protection (available to buy at $25 each)
• FIns (flippers)
• One black and one white wooden stick (available to be purchased on the night for $10 the pair, or just make some if you have a handyperson around home see attached pattern). Limited spares are available to be borrowed at the game.
• Glove – to fit playing hand (ie whether right or left handed). Preferably this should be a latex glove (available to buy at $25),or details on how to make one will follow, or a padded rubber gardening glove may be used for the first few weeks for players who are just “trying” the game.

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Cost

• $3 entry into the pool – you must specify it is for underwater hockey
• A team registration fee is payable (approx $10 per player)

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About the sport

The British Navy invented underwater hockey in the 1950’s to keep their divers fit and to improve their ability to move and work efficiently under water. The game came to Australia shortly after and has evolved into a fast dynamic sport played in more than 20 counties.

The World Championships are held every two years and every other year Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compete in a Tri-Nations cup. The competitions are run at Men, Women, Masters (>35) and Junior (U19) level.  Australia usually fairs well in these events.

Underwater hockey is a non-contact sport, a player cannot interfere with another player with their free hand. The puck is flicked along the bottom with the stick (some of the top players can flick the puck over 3m and can raise it off the bottom of the pool) but it is not allowed to be moved with either the gloved or non-gloved hand.

You do not have to be overly fit to play nor do you have to be a great swimmer (flippers are a great help in this regard). It is generally a fun sport for all ages, shapes and sizes!  

Contact

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Glove making instructions

Items needed:

1 latex glove (available at chemists or super markets)

1 cotton glove (available at chemists)

400 mls of latex (this is available from the Fibreglass Shop in Argyle Street North Hobart)

Newspaper to protect carpet/concrete/lino (depending on where glove is going to be made).

Fan heater or hair drier

Spatula, brush, knife or something to apply latex to the cotton glove

1 – 2 hours of time

Directions:

1. Find somewhere well ventilated.
2. Put latex glove on. (This stops latex sticking to hand)
3. Put cotton glove on over latex glove.
4. Get heater/ hair drier going.
5. Put newspaper down.
6. Get glove shape the same as when holding an underwater hockey bat.
7. Apply a coat of latex to the glove using the spatula/knife/brush. Completely cover the glove. The latex will soak into the cotton.
8. Dry the latex coating on the glove in front of the heater. Ensure that the glove stays in the shape desired while drying it (eg hold hand shape the way you would hold the bat). It will probably take about 10 minutes to dry.
9. Apply another coat of latex, completely covering the hand again.
10. Dry the coat.
11. Apply layers of latex to areas that need protecting, eg knuckles and fingers. Allow each coat to dry before applying another. In this step do numerous coats to the knuckle area but put nothing on the palm area
12. then apply 1 last thin coat to whole glove and dry
13. Once dry, remove hand and latex glove from the new  glove carefully as it will be a little stuck 
14. Leave glove for about a week to completely cure.

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