FAQ
Why should my kid(s) play hockey?
What are the costs of hockey? How are the costs of hockey determined, and how much of my fees go toward licensing and insurance?
How do Cork Wolfpack, IHI and IIHA associations ensure player safety?
What is the average weekly time commitment?
How does the registration system work?
What are the minor hockey age categories, and how are they determined?
What levels of hockey are available? What are the differences between the levels, and what are the benefits of each one?
How do the coaches determine which players are assigned to a specific team?
When does registration start?
How do I register my child? How can I access my child’s registration information?
At what age can my child start playing hockey?
Is there a female-only team?
What training do hockey coaches receive?
Are there professional coaches at the minor hockey level?
I want to become a coach or a manager for my child’s team. Do I need to be a former player in order to become a coach? How do I register as a coach?
How can I learn the rules of hockey?
What financial support is available to families?
What if we’re moving from another country? How do the player transfers work?
What if we are just visiting for a few days and want to practice with some of your teams?
What days of the week will my child be on the rink?
Do we have to travel out of town, and if so, how often?
What equipment does my child need? How much does it cost and where can I find it?
Apart from registration and equipment, what other costs are involved in hockey? How will they be paid for?
General
Q: Why should my child play hockey?
Hockey is a fun, family-friendly activity that offers people of all ages an opportunity to make new friends, get physically active, build important skills like hand-eye coordination and strategic thought, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Hockey is also a great sport for building character, and it gives those involved the opportunity to learn the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal responsibility.
Q: What are the costs of hockey? How is the cost of hockey determined, and how much of my fees go toward licensing and insurance?
Hockey costs vary depending on the sport(s) chosen, age group and skill level in question. Costs typically include IHI (Inline Hockey Ireland) and/or IIHA (Irish Ice Hockey Association) registration, hall rental time, league games fees, friendly game fees and a club contribution. The average cost of hockey enrollment for a season of ice & inline can go from €120 to €400 for registration & games.
Registration costs are set at the committee and coaching staff levels. Equipment costs are set by manufacturers and retailers. Hall time costs are set by local arenas. League games costs are set by Inline Hockey Ireland.
Insurance costs are set by Inline Hockey Ireland in partnership with IPB insurance, the official insurance benefits provider for all IHI (Inline Hockey Ireland) sanctioned tournaments, games, practices and events.
IHI Insurance Documents – Details
Q: How do Cork Wolfpack and Inline Hockey Ireland ensure player safety?
Safety is the leagues and the club’s number one priority. That’s why Inline Hockey Ireland Playing Rules do not permit fighting in hockey.
Q: What is the average weekly time commitment?
Depending on the level of hockey you or your child plays, your time commitment could range from just 1.5/3 hours per week for U6, U8, learn to play, U13/U15 B and C, Senior leisure teams and up to 4-5 hours per week (plus weekend games and travel time) for U13 A, U15 A, U18, and Senior Elite teams.
Registration
Q: How does the registration system work?
You can register yourself and/or your child with IHI (Inline Hockey Ireland) and the Cork Wolfpack club online. To register your child, you will need to complete a short form listing your child’s personal details like name, address, date of birth for example.
If this is your child’s first time registering with a hockey club, you may also directly contact our members on secretary@corkwolfpack.com that will assist you if need be.
Q: What are the minor hockey age categories, and how are they determined?
The minor hockey age categories are:
U6 – for players born in 2017 and younger
U9 – for players born in 2017, 2016, and 2015
U11 – for players born in 2014 and 2013
U13 – for players born in 2012 and 2011
U15 – for players born in 2010 and 2009
U18 – for players born in 2008, and 2006
Senior – for players born in 2005 and older
Players are placed into age categories according to their years of birth. Younger players are allowed to play in a single upper age group. No player can play league games in more than two age groups. Girls playing in an age group can play in the one directly under.
Q: What levels of hockey are available? What are the differences between the levels, and what are the benefits of each one?
The Cork Wolfpack offers A and B teams levels if the player count is sufficient. If the player count is higher more teams will be created to provide enough game time for all players. If the player count is too high for a single team but is not enough for a second team, a game-by-game system is implemented to ensure all players receive game experience.
B & C teams are a recreational level of play. Most teams at this level have 1-2 practices and one game every month, making it easy to fit hockey into a hectic family schedule. B team players are almost always given equal playtime regardless of skill, talent or the score of the game. The goals of these teams are to provide league games for players who just want to play hockey solely for fun and to give game time in upper age groups for younger players.
A teams hockey is the highest calibre of hockey available in any given age group. A teams typically have 11 to 14 players who represent the more skilled and talented players in their age group. A team hockey is a fast-paced, highly competitive level of hockey that offers exceptional players a challenge.
A team hockey is about twice the time commitment of B & C teams hockey. Expect a minimum of 2 practices, one individual skills development session and games every 2-3 week. A teams may also participate in regular friendly games and tournaments.
Q: How do the coaches determine which players are assigned to a specific team?
The club hosts tryouts prior to the start of the hockey season. Head coaches on A, B & C teams have the exclusive right to decide which players will be offered spots on their teams.
When evaluating potential players, A teams coaches typically look for a certain set of attributes:
Skill
Skating skills
Passing skills
Shooting ability
Puck control/stick handling creativity
Playmaking ability (offensive and defensive)
Sportsmanship
Teamwork
Respect
Positive attitude
Hard work
Speed
Skating speed
Fore-checking speed
Back-checking speed
Preparedness
Shows up on time
Brings all necessary equipment to the rink
Skates are sharp / Wheels are renewed regularly
Gear is in impeccable condition
Wearing a jersey and inline hockey pants
Have a backup hockey stick
Tape, Allen Key, and a small towel to remove dirt from the wheels
Attitude Toward Learning
Ability to recover from mistakes without becoming frustrated
Ability to pay attention to instructions and follow the drill
Asks relevant questions & is passionate about hockey
Leadership
Takes the initiative to help other players learn new skills
Gives encouragement to other players
Sets an example through hard work
Skating Ability
This is more than just the ability to turn, stop and skate quickly
A team coaches want to see players skate hard during every minute of their shift
Q: When does registration start?
Registrations always start off in the month of May for the Cork Wolfpack and remain open throughout the season. However, IHI and IIHA can have different schedules.
Early registration typically opens in the spring or summer (between April and June), with main registration usually taking place during July and August. Evaluations or try-outs typically happen in early August & September.
Q: How do I register my child? / How do I access my child’s registration information?
You can register yourself or your child online through our website –corkwolfpack.com/registrations – and through the national hockey associations.
Q: At what age can my child start playing hockey?
Children may start hockey at any age with us.
It must be noted that Cork Wolfpack offers organized hockey starting at the U6 level for children who will range from three to six years old. Exceptions can be made for 2-year-olds.
After finishing the U6 program, players move on to another 3-year U9 program. Children who turn seven years old on or before December 31 of the current hockey season are considered U9 players. All U9 players may begin league games with one of U13 teams. This is contingent on the coach’s assessment of the players in question.
Not all hockey clubs on the island offer a full program from three years old to seniors. Cork Wolfpack is one of the few clubs that give that opportunity.
Q: Is there a female-only team?
There are no female-only leagues on the island of Ireland. However, the IHI and IIHA have put in place an all-women team called the Sirens that competes in senior league games.
On a junior level, the Cork Wolfpack is the only club to have its own junior girls’ development program. Established in 2019, the Wolfgirls program brings together all the girls of the club to train together on a regular basis.
An important note is that in Ice & Inline hockey, girls can and are encouraged to play with boys. These are one of the few sports where that is possible.
While the Sirens exist as an all-women team for the league, women training with the club can play with our Senior teams. While the Wolfgirls program exists, young girls still play games with boys throughout the season.
Coaching / Respect in Sport
Q: What training do hockey coaches receive?
All hockey coaches are expected to be garda vetted by the hockey associations in the two sports. All head coaches must have at least the Safeguarding training Level 1.
At the Cork Wolfpack, all head coaches have the referee Level 1 at least for inline hockey, ensuring their knowledge of the rules of the game are present and up to date.
While there are no official inline hockey coaching levels to obtain yet, two of our head coaches are coaching or have coached the U16 & U18 Irish National Teams.
Concerning ice hockey, the Cork Wolfpack is also happy to have people coming from nations where ice hockey is really popular and bring their knowledge to the young players. The Cork Wolfpack is also glad to have a Finnish coach who has had experience with high-level U16 teams.
Q: Are there professional coaches at the minor hockey level?
Unfortunately, inline hockey and ice hockey are very minor sports in Ireland and the club doesn’t have the funds to pay external coaches. However, our volunteer coaches have considerable experience in the two sports and do provide training quality in a very professional manner.
Q: I want to become a coach for my child’s team. Do I need to be a former player in order to become a coach? How do I register as a coach?
To coach inline or ice hockey teams, knowing how to skate, stickhandle, pass and shoot is essential to demonstrate drills, especially with young kids.
You don’t necessarily need to have had extensive knowledge of hockey to help in the coaching process.
As a matter of fact, helping in coaching your child’s team can be a fun and engaging way to create quality family time and have a lasting impact on your child’s life.
If you wish to become a coach, you should first send an email to secretary@corkwolfpack.com and the club will contact you back for a talk.
Q: How can I learn the rules of hockey?
You may find the inline hockey rules by looking at the file below:
You may find the ice hockey rules by looking at the file below:
Financial Support
Q: What financial support is available to families?
Hockey can be an expensive sport. That is why gear is lent to new players so they may start to play straight away until parents can properly plan their finances to invest in their personal gear.
Hockey fees can be high during the season. Families may have more than one child playing hockey and the club provides a 50% discount on younger siblings.
Logistics, Communications & Scheduling
Q: What if we’re moving from another country? How do the player transfers work?
Concerning inline hockey, if you are permanently moving from another country and were registered with another federation you will have to request IHI – committee@inlinehockeyireland.org – for the ETC (European Transfer Certificate) for a cost of €40. After which you will be able to register with Inline Hockey Ireland.
Concerning ice hockey, if you are permanently moving from another country and were registered with another federation you will have to complete the IIHF LOA (International Ice Hockey Federation – Letter Of Approval) and the Unlimited Transfer Request document. Once completed, you may send it to us at secretary@corkwolfpack.com
Q: What if we are just visiting for a few days and want to practice with some of your teams?
As long as you are part of an inline hockey association that belongs to the international federation – World Skate – you may participate in our practices.
As long as you are part of an ice hockey association that belongs to the international federation – IIHF – you may participate in our practices.
Just make sure you contact the club directly first. Sometimes in the season might be difficult for us to accept visitors depending on the stages of the different competitions we may have. Usually, there is no problem for us to welcome anyone who is visiting the beautiful Cork area.
Q: What days of the week will my child be training?
Practice schedules are set by the committee. Go to the practice page to know your schedule – https://corkwolfpack.com/schedule/
Game schedules are set by the IHI, got to their competition page to know your schedule – http://www.inlinehockeyireland.org/competitions
If game and practice schedules conflict with your work responsibilities, you should talk to the other parents on your child’s team about coordinating a carpool. Carpooling is a fun and easy way to ensure all minor hockey players can participate regardless of their parents’ work schedules.
Q: Do we have to travel out of town, and if so, how often?
Each team’s schedule is set by the inline hockey association in question.
Ireland doesn’t have many rinks suitable for league games, therefore, most of the games will happen in Cork and Portadown.
Your inline hockey association will release your team’s schedule before the start of each hockey season.
Q: What equipment does my child need? How much does it cost and where can I find it?
Ice hockey
Helmet (must be CSA-certified)
Mouthguard (optional)
Neck guard (must be BNQ-certified)
Shoulder pads
Elbow pads
Gloves
Groin guard (jock/jill/cup)
Hockey pants
Shin pads
Hockey socks
Skates
Hockey stick
Practice jersey
Team jersey
Equipment bag
Inline hockey
Helmet (must be CSA-certified)
Neck guard (must be BNQ-certified)
Elbow pads
Gloves
Groin guard (jock/jill/cup)
Girdle
Inline Hockey pants
Shin pads
Inline Skates
Hockey stick
Practice jersey
Team jersey
Equipment bag
There are also several optional pieces of equipment that make your child’s hockey experience even better:
Skate guards – Skate guards protect your child’s skates from accidental damage, keeping them sharper for longer.
Water bottle – Hockey is a fast and demanding sport, and hydration is essential. It is recommended that players have their own dedicated personal water bottle.
Pucks – While pucks will be provided at all official league games, you’ll also want to ensure your child’s team has a healthy supply of spare pucks on hand for practices, warm-ups prior to games, and gaps between tournament games.
Stick tape – Your child’s stick should be taped at the top and the blade. Taping the top will ensure that your child can keep a firm hold on the stick, while taping the blade will improve the stick’s grip and allow for better puck control.
Sock tape/Shin pad straps – This clear tape holds your child’s socks and shin pads in place. Some shin pads come with velcro straps, making sock tape unnecessary. Alternatively, you can purchase velcro shin pad straps that you can affix to strapless shin pads.
Spare stick – You never know when a stick is going to break. That’s why it’s always a good idea to carry a spare stick to games and tournaments. Your child should have his or her own spare stick to ensure the best possible hockey experience.
Spare laces – Loose skates are uncomfortable and can make it difficult for your child to skate properly. If your child’s laces fray or break on the ice, you’ll want to ensure you have spare laces behind the bench so your child’s coach can quickly replace the damaged laces.
Stick wax – Stick wax prevents the buildup of snow and ice on the blade of a hockey stick, allowing for better puck control and extending the life of the stick.
Hockey gear can be expensive, depending on your budget, you should prepare between €200 & €700. It is important to note that the gear will be useable for many years to come and any gear that becomes too short can be sold again.
You may find below some hockey store websites that you may visit to buy your personal gear:
Q: Apart from registration and equipment, what other costs are involved in minor hockey? How will they be paid for?
While not mandatory, there are several additional costs that teams may incur during the course of a season.
Team Clothing & Merchandise
Parents who wish to go one step further to support their local hockey association may choose to purchase team clothing or team merchandise. Cork Wolfpack has team jerseys, hats, hoodies, stickers, and pucks available for purchase. The proceeds from this merchandise are often used to cover costs related to travel, tournaments and league registration, or other hockey. investments.
Travel & Tournament Fees
When traveling to away games, teams are responsible for their own travel costs like gasoline, food, parking, and toll fees.
It is up to the parents and coaching staff on each individual team to determine how these expenses will be paid. Some teams choose to have each family pay their own way. Others will pool funds to ensure costs are distributed evenly across all families on the team.