2026 Hockey SA Coach of the Year Award

Nomination Criteria

Nominees for the Coach of the Year Award should reflect the standards of the Hockey Ed Coaching Certification Program and demonstrate:

• A respect for officials, opponents, parents and embracing a philosophy of fair play
• Concern for all-round development of the athlete; presenting a positive public image of hockey
• The application of relevant training theory and coaching practices
• A proven capacity to improve the team's or athlete's performance, on field success/improvement.
   

Selection Criteria
Four areas will be considered by the Coach of the Year Selection Committee. If it is deemed that no candidate is eligible for Coach of the Year, the Selection Committee may exercise the right not to make an award in that category in any particular year.

1.    Contribution to Sport

• The nominee has contributed to the organisation and development of hockey
• Active coaching in the wider community, promotion of hockey and team
• Provide mentoring or coaching opportunities to others.

2.    Coaching Effectiveness
An effective coach is one that is ethical, progressive and fair. Coaching effectiveness refers to the steady improvement that has been shown by the athletes in addition to their win/loss record.

3.    Personal Development and Achievement
Personal Development refers to the nominee's personal plan to gain knowledge, certification under the Hockey Ed Coaching Certification Program, first aid, coaching seminars, and a transfer of this knowledge to their athletes and other coaches. Achievement refers to any recognition the nominee has received for their efforts in coaching.

4.    Leadership

Leadership refers to the nominee’s conduct. The nominated coach should take a leadership role in the promotion and integration of Fair Play. The Coach should be known as a positive role model for the athletes and should provide stable consistent leadership qualities upon which the athletes can rely and relate.
Enthusiasm, approach and a positive attitude

The Award recipient will be the nominee who is deemed by the selection committee to have best met the criteria in an overall sense. The decision of the selection committee will be final, and no correspondence will be entered.
 

Nominations
Please read the nomination and selection criteria prior to completing the relevant online nomination form. Prior to submission, please discuss your nomination with the relevant Club President or Executive Committee members. Submit the nomination form and other supporting documentation that you may wish to include which exhibits official recognition, such as newspaper articles, letters of support, certificates of achievement, awards etc. Nominations and votes must be received by 5pm on Friday 21st August 2026. Nominations received after that time will not be taken into consideration

PRIVACY STATEMENT
The nominator understands that Personal Information (as defined in the Information Privacy Act 2000) derived from this form is recorded by Hockey SA for the purposes of the 2026 Hockey SA Awards. The Personal Information will be used solely by Hockey SA for these purposes and/or directly related purposes, including writing to the nominee. Otherwise, Hockey SA may only disclose this information if required to by law. In addition, the nominator understands that he or she may apply to Hockey SA for access to and/or amendment of the information that applies to him or her. Requests for access and/or amendment should be made to Hockey SA’s Chief Executive Officer.