Winter Indoor Youth League
CJFH Youth Indoor Field Hockey
Winter League 2026 2027
DID YOU KNOW that Indoor Field Hockey is considered a different sport from traditional outdoor field hockey with different sticks, balls and team sizes? Played on a hard surface with boards, it is excellent for developing quick reflexes and hand eye coordination and makes for a thrilling game!
WINTER INDOOR PROGRAMS
Weekly league games for youth born 2012 to 2016, to be held at the University of Calgary Red and Gold Gyms. Athletes born in 2017 with previous field hockey experience will be considered on a case by case basis. Coed program must have at least two girls on the field at all times. All skill levels welcome!
Two sessions are offered: Session 1 - Nov/Dec and Session 2 - Jan/Mar.
Drop in participants welcome! Contact league@fieldhockey.ab.ca for more information
SESSION 1 (Nov/Dec)
GAMES
5 weeks of games: Nov 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12
Saturday Afternoons
University of Calgary Red and Gold Gyms
FESTIVAL
Winter 3 v 3 Festival - a popular double knockout tournament where teams are mixed. A great way to kick off the holiday season!
Date: Saturday, December 19
Time and Location TBD
SESSION 2 (Jan/Mar)
GAMES
5 weeks of games: Jan 16, 23, 30, Feb 5, 19, 26 - NO games Feb 12 (Family Day long weekend)
University of Calgary Red and Gold Gyms
FESTIVAL
March Madness - an exciting end to our season! A true FIH format Indoor Tournament
Saturday March 6, 2026
Time and Location TBD
REGISTRATION
Don't have a club? Contact league coordinator for practice details and registration information. Email: League@fieldhockey.ab.ca
IMPORTANT NOTE: participants will be charged for a FHA/FHC membership if they do not hold one for the current year effective September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027
See our Membership > Fees page for more information. Click here: Link
PARTICIPATING CLUBS
Below is a list of clubs who participated in our league last winter. Contact your club on how to get involved. Don't see your club on the list - let us know!
AKAAL Warriors - akaalwarriorsfhc@gmail.com
SARACENS Field Hockey Club (2024) - saracensfhc@gmail.com
KINGS XI Field Hockey Society - kings11fhc@gmail.com
MAROONS Field Hockey Club (NEW for 2026!) - maroonsfhclub@gmail.com
UNITED Field Hockey Club - unitedfhccalgary@gmail.com
PANJAB Sports and Cultural Club - panjabsportsfhc@gmail.com
Born before 2012? Check out FHAC and CLFHA youth leagues. Please note: athletes wishing to "play up" must first participate in the league for their appropriate age group.
INDOOR FAQs
Q: What equipment is required?
A: Sticks are provided. Athletes may use their own indoor stick and must provide their own mouth guard and shin pads. T-shirts, shorts and athletic pants are recommended for games and practices. All participants will be provided with field hockey socks. Indoor court shoes or running shoes are also required. An Indoor glove is also recommended.
Q: How do I borrow an indoor stick?
A: You can borrow a stick from FHA; email league@fieldhockey.ab.ca and bring a cheque for $80 written to Field Hockey Alberta post dated for the last day of your session.
Q: Where can I purchase an indoor field hockey stick?
A: Be sure you purchase an INDOOR stick that is appropriately sized for your child. A stick that is too large creates improper body positioning and makes it harder to learn and harder to break bad habits down the road. Generally, the stick should come to the athlete’s hip or just under the belly button.
There are lots of online sites to purchase indoor sticks, we recommend the following local business to purchase indoor sticks:
AA Sports - Sohail Abdullah: sohail63@gmail.com
Q: Where can mouth guards, shin pads or practice socks be purchased?
A: Most sporting-good stores carry these items (Sport Chek, Sport Mart, Kicks, etc.). Call ahead to check availability. Or you can contact Sohail Abdullah at AA Sports sohail63@gmail.com. Be sure to select shin guards that wrap over the ankle.
Q: Where can I learn the basic rules of indoor field hockey?
A: The following link is a good start: https://youtu.be/1yP_Abs1iD0
Q: What training do your coaches have?
A: All coaches must be NCCP Safesport trained and have taken courses on ethics, and concussions. Each session has a First Aid certified coach or athletic therapist on site.
For additional information please contact League Coordinator at league@fieldhockey.ab.ca
Q: I'm not born between 2016 and 2012, can I play?
A: Athletes born in 2017 will be considered on a case by case basis. CJFH has a special age dispensation policy for athletes that wish to play overage or underage. You can read the policy here: Link. Born before 2012? Check out FHAC and CLFHA youth leagues.
Important note: athletes wishing to "play up" must first participate in the league for their appropriate age group.
Q: I'm from out of town but can't make games every week. Can I participate in the Festivals?
A: Absolutely! If you have a team that would like to join us, please have your manager contact our league coordinator. If you don't have a team or club, you may register as a free agent, with FHA and we will find you a team! Email league@fieldhockey.ab.ca
LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
We are mapping our programming to support the Long Term Athlete Development plan (LTAD) and the Long Term Hockey Development Plan (LTHD).
Supporting these evidence based protocols in sport helps our athletes and coaches develop and engage in sport with age appropriate skill requirements and fundamental physical literacy skills.
Children aged 6 to 10 fall into the FunStix stage of learning and skill acquisition:
LTAD Stage 2 - FunStix
In the FunStix stage children need to participate in a variety of well-structured activities that develop basic field hockey skills and promote interest in physical activity. Physical literacy continues to be developed through activities involving the athlete in as many sporting activities as possible throughout the week. It is important that all children master fundamental movement skills before sport specific skills are introduced.
Competition should involve no formal game play. Modified games, such as the FunStix mini game, should be introduced. All activities are fun-based. The focus should be on creating self-esteem within participants by reinforcing individual effort and not keeping score.
Children aged 11 to 14 fall across TWO stages of learning and skill acquisition:
1) LTAD Stage 3 - Learning to Train
Ages 9-12 males, 8-11 females. In this stage, attention focuses on building the athlete’s foundational movement skills and begins to expand the repertoire of field hockey basics.
Participation in multiple physical activities and sports is still recommended.
2) Stage 4 - Training to Train
Ages 12-16 males, 11-15 females
The major focus of this stage is on the consolidation and implementation of the basic skills of field hockey and the use of decision-making skills.
The athletes may play to win and do their best, but they still need to focus more time on skill training and physical development over competition. This approach is critical to the development of top performers and maintaining activity for the long-term.
Have questions?
Contact League Co-ordinator: league@fieldhockey.ab.ca
