KIHL 2026

As we look back on the 2025 season KIHL welcome 2026 as we celebrate heading into our 5th season. A small milestone with plenty of achievements.

Co-founders Nathan Sergent and Arden Phillips have had a busy 4 years building the foundations for the future. Just a couple of Kiwi lads who grew up loving Inline Hockey and felt they could make a positive contribution to the game. 

Launched January 1st 2022 with a registration of 78 players has now grown to a remarkable 12 teams and 6 Franchises with 150 registered senior players. KIHL Junior was then launched in 2024 due to popularity with 88 Junior players (13-17 years) across 8 teams signing up to be drafted. KIHL Minors was then added as an invitation to the top 30 under 13 year olds.

With a 250+ membership and still growing Inline Hockey is making a popular comeback across Aotearoa. Bringing players back to the sport many who in turn have returned to play for their local clubs. KIHL has attracted players from Australia in both KIHL and KIHL Junior Leagues. Notably 2 x KIHL Championship Winning Captain Steven Adams who has featured in over 60+ Official KIHL League Games. KIHL has registered players in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania making the trip across the ditch 5 - 7 times in a season. 

KIHL has built international relationships with Brisbane based Next Level Performance, Go Play Melbourne Bush-Rangers who have both made the trip to New Zealand to play in the KIHL ANZAC All-Star Weekend. Australian Club Championships has also been added to the annual event calendar with 5 KIHL All-Star teams attending in 2025. KIHL Young-Guns and KIHL Taniwha both returning with Championships in their respective grades.

2025 also saw the first KIHL Junior Teams travel abroad and compete on the international stage attending the Tasmania Cup. Kiwi Te Ra (13U) and KIHL Manaia (16U) both returning with Championships after a successful campaign. 

Wheelhub Asia also adding KIHL to its international partnership program, providing new pathways for Kiwis to go further with a multitude of opportunities. The paternership includes opportunities within the Farm Tough College Prospects Camps and Wheelhub Unity Teams attending NARCh. 11 KIHL representatives joining Wheelhub Unity across multiple grades in 2025.

KIHL Rink Wars Taranaki is a one off event with New Zealands first Pro Division offering $2000 prize money to the winner. This event allows players to make teams from players anywhere in the world. With 25 teams registered for 2025, Rink Wars has become the largest Senior tournament in New Zealand. 

KIHL has reignited the way we play hockey Stop Clock Games, Online Statistics, Season Schedule at your fingertips, Player Protections/Trades, Live Streaming, and multiple media platforms with over 3,000 followers. KIHL YouTube Channel has a library of content with over 300+ games spanning the last 3 years. Instagram and Facebook has a storage of over 1000 images and video and a website with player profiles tracking career Statistics.

KIHL would like to acknowledge our Franchise General Managers who have helped shape the league.

Joe Dowman from Wellington (Sting GM) and Dean Gibbins from New Plymouth (Dolphins GM) have been pivotal in helping us get the league started.

With the addition of Craig Young from Tauranga (Falcons GM), Lewis Dawson from Nelson (Soldiers GM), Jasmine Horner-Pascoe from Auckland (Royals GM) and, Nathan Lovell from Melbourne, Australia (Katipō GM).These people are part of the decision making process in many areas of the KIHL organization and all bring years of knowledge and experience to the table.

A special shout-out to Sophie Bliss, Shannon Gurnell and, Alistair Keast who continued to support the inaugural adoption of KIHL Junior. This was not a space we had intentions to occupy however the product has proven to be popular. KIHL Management knows first hand the countless hours that go into the organization of building leagues. Shannon Gurnell has continued to grow the junior space with opportunities in the Minor League and helping strengthen our international relationships and will continue on as we enter 2026.

We also need to thank the players, their families and friends who continue to support the KIHL. It has been amazing to see players flourish in the league and supporters get behind franchises. KIHL has allowed a different avenue for players to reinvent their game on a different platform and be recognized for a multitude of accomplishments. 

Lastly a huge thank you to our referees and scorebench officials who have continued to support the game we love.

With 2026 just around the corner there is one thing we can promise you. KIHL 2026 will be our biggest and best season yet. KIHL, KIHL Junior and KIHL Minor Leagues all returning. Rink Wars will remain as an annual Labour Weekend event and some new events set to be released in the very near future with both local and international opportunities coming for KIHL members. 

We look forward to you joining us again in 2026. Keep an eye out for KIHL Registrations dropping October 1st.

KIHL representative teams

KIHL All-Star Team 

KIHL Pasifika Maori 

KIHL Wahine-Toa 

KIHL Mana Cup All-Stars 

KIHL Young-Guns 

KIHL 38+ 

KIHL Warriors 

KIHL Raiders

KIHL Taniwha 

Junior Representative Teams

KIHL Te Ra

KIHL Manaia

KIHL Mana Toa 

KIHL Mana Tane

KIHL Mana Wahine