Version control: Original 1990/ Updated 1999/ Updated 2003/ Updated 2010/ Updated 2015/ Updated 2023/ Updated 2024/ Updated Oct 2026
On this page
Introduction
Teachers must follow these Specific sport and physical activity guidelines together with the Sport and physical activity procedures and Supporting tools and resources to meet duty of care and manage risks effectively at the local level.
All teachers delivering sport and physical activity should be familiar with the Concussion information and protocols included in the Supporting tools and resources and have completed the School Sport Unit - Recognising and responding to concussion MyPL online course.
The guidelines support safe, inclusive and compliant sport delivery through:
- weekly school sport
- one-off events or gala days
- the Representative School Sport Pathway.
They outline compliance measures to address inherent risks, offer advice on modifying traditional rules and equipment to reduce risk, and provide guidance on adapting activities to support the inclusion of all students.
Key
The following key indicates the level of teacher qualification required to deliver a specific activity as part of a school sport program:
Note: This key does not determine the WHS risk level for an activity. It may inform local risk assessment as one component of the broader WHS risk management process, as outlined in the WHS Risk Management procedure.
Modified hockeyLow risk (Green)
Hockey can be modified by adjusting rules, equipment and playing conditions to reduce injury risk and support inclusion. Modifications may include, but are not limited to:
- using a lighter ball of approximately 110–115 g
- playing without a goalkeeper
- creating a 3-metre no-go zone in front of each goal
- prohibiting bodily contact
- keeping sticks on the ground at all times
- requiring players to stay at least 3 stick lengths from the ball during free plays
- not allowing players to stop or kick the ball with their feet
- adjusting participant numbers and other rules to match student ability, to increase involvement and to increase safety
- delivering the activity as a non-competitive program that prioritises skill development, confidence, decision-making and full participation.
For students from introduction age up to 10 years of age, modified hockey is the only form of hockey to be included in school programs.
Teacher qualifications
There is no additional professional learning/accreditation required for modified hockey.
Permission
Parent/carer permission is not required for students to participate in modified hockey activities that are delivered by teachers on school grounds or within walking distance.
See Permission page for more information.
Equipment
Field of play
- Equipment must be checked prior to use and not used if defective.
- Sticks with splits must not be used.
- Goal posts and goal structures must be checked for stability so that there is no likelihood of the goals falling forwards.
Personal safety
- No personal safety equipment is required for modified hockey.
Safety
The ground surface and immediate surrounds must be clear of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags.
Activities must be suitable for safe participation in the clothing, footwear and personal items students are wearing. Jewellery, ornaments and other items likely to cause injury must be removed or secured before participating.
Activities should be adjusted to support participation for students with minor pre-existing injuries or temporary limitations, ensuring the activity remains safe.
Resources
HockeyModerate risk (Yellow)
Hockey has the following characteristics:
- uses a hard hockey ball
- there is a goalkeeper
- typically includes training for, or playing in, structured match conditions, for example, set field of play, team numbers and positions, officiating and competition rules
- may be played competitively
- as part of an interschool event
- as part of the Representative School Sport Pathway.
Teacher/instructor qualifications and experience
Teacher
There are no mandatory qualifications required for a teacher to deliver hockey. The following course(s) are recommended as needed to strengthen teacher knowledge and confidence, depending on experience and competition level:
Instructor
If a non-teacher is engaged to coach a hockey team or deliver a hockey program, they must have a recognised and current hockey coaching qualification.
Permission
All students must have parent/carer permission to play hockey.
See Permission page for more information.
Supervision
Supervision ratios must not exceed average class size. Where a non-teacher provides instruction, a teacher must be present for each class sized group to take overall supervision responsibility and to hold duty of care.
Accompanying teachers must have completed the department’s mandatory Emergency Care training. At least one accompanying teacher must hold current department-approved CPR training.
Officiating should be appropriate for the level of play. Where possible, a suitably qualified or experienced umpire should officiate competitive matches, particularly for higher level competition.
Equipment
A first aid kit that meets the checklist in the First Aid Plan, as outlined in the department’s First aid procedure, is required.
Field of play
- Check all equipment before use. Do not use any item that is damaged or defective.
- Ensure goal posts and goal structures are stable and secure, with no risk of falling forward.
Personal safety
- A correctly fitted mouthguard is mandatory and must be worn during organised training sessions and intra- and interschool competition, including the indoor forms of the game.
- Shin pads are mandatory and must be worn during organised training sessions and matches.
- Appropriate footwear must be worn. Where possible, hockey-specific shoes are encouraged. If unavailable, moulded synthetic-soled boots or sports shoes are recommended for natural grass, and sports shoes with good lateral support are recommended for synthetic turf.
- Goalkeepers must wear a suitable helmet with face guard, chest protector, groin protector, protective pads and kickers. It is also recommended that goalkeepers use gauntlet gloves. These items must be available for use by the goalkeeper.
Students involved in all “opposition-based drills and contact games” must wear the specified safety equipment.
Venues
The playing area and immediate surrounds must be free of obstructions, loose objects and obstacles, including equipment, seating and school bags. The playing surface must be of a suitable and safe standard.
- Pre-activity venue checklists, available in Supporting tools and resources, may assist staff to inspect the venue before the activity.
Hydrated lime must not be used to mark fields. Further information is available at Marking of fields.
Spectators must be positioned at an appropriate distance from the playing area.
Safety
Students must be adequately prepared for the level of competition they are participating in and be familiar with event rules and relevant safety requirements.
Teams and individual students participating in competitions or programs not aligned to the NSWPSSA or NSWCHSSA handbooks should follow the corresponding age group format and laws specified by Hockey NSW.
Students must remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.
Sun exposure must be managed in line with the department’s Sun safety guidance. Strategies should be appropriate to the event, venue, weather conditions and duration of exposure, including adjustments to activity timing where required.
Students must not participate or continue to participate if injured. If a teacher or coach suspects an injury, the student must be removed and must not return until fully healed or medically cleared.
If an injury involves bleeding, follow the department’s Infection control procedures.
- Appendix B: Procedures for spills of blood and other body substances
- Appendix C: Procedures for contact with blood or body fluids
Where possible, ice should be available for the treatment of injuries.
Resources
Risk assessment support
Representative School Sport Pathway
*Disclaimer: In line with the NSW Government’s full disclaimer regarding links to external sites, links are provided with the intention of increasing the information available to you and do not imply that the department endorses those websites or the people or companies who own them. The NSW Department of Education has no control over linked websites, and is not responsible for the views, opinions, standards or information expressed on them.