The NZIHF holds Youth Development Camps (YDCs) throughout New Zealand to grow and develop player and coach talent. The camps are held throughout the year and are open to youth players who are interested in growing their ice hockey skills on and off-ice.

Our aim is to provide New Zealand’s youth players with a FUN and age-appropriate on and off-ice training. Training in the camp is largely based off of USA Hockey’s use of small area skills and station work.

These coaches are predominantly the staff involved with the New Zealand National teams as well as other regional head coaching staff.

The camps have been held over several years and are continuously evolving to meet the needs required to both grow all our regions players with a consistent training program and to eventually help identify player potential to promote into the New Zealand National teams.

Not all players will reach the heights of representing our National teams and this is definitely not the main driver of the YDC’s, however it does offer the opportunity for those who have the desire to get in front of the selection panels and continue to improve their skating and ice hockey IQ.