Which junior hockey stick should I choose?
First stick
A wooden stick like the Kookaburra Neon or Grays Aura GT is perfectly sensible for young children. It's affordable, forgiving and plenty for the speed they hit the ball.
Playing every week
A composite stick is lighter and more responsive than wood. The adidas Youngstar .10 and .20, Grays GT 3 and TK Jnr Control Bow are all good steps up.
County and academy players
Stronger juniors who are starting to use aerials and 3D skills can move to junior performance sticks like the Grays PB 7+ Junior or the adidas Estro .40.
What size junior hockey stick?
As a rule of thumb, the top of the stick should come to roughly the top of the hip bone when stood next to your child. If they're between sizes, go up one size at most. Our stick size guide has the full table by height.
Does my child need carbon?
Not at first. A stiff carbon stick makes it harder to trap the ball, and most juniors are better off with wood or fibreglass until they're older and hitting harder. Pair their stick with some junior hockey shoes and shin pads and they're ready to go.
