Latest news with #HockeyNewZealand
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Black Sticks won't play in ‘expensive' Pro League
The Black Sticks will not participate in the FIH Pro League after Hockey New Zealand's concerns about the 'expensive, travel-heavy' format were not addressed. New Zealand qualified for the top-tier men's competition by winning the Nations Cup last month, but the governing body said the current Pro League format was
RNZ News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Black Sticks won't play in 'expensive' Pro League
Black Sticks men celebrate their win at the 2025 Nations Cup in Malaysia. Photo: WORLDSPORTPICS / PHOTOSPORT The Black Sticks will not participate in the FIH Pro League after Hockey New Zealand's concerns about the "expensive, travel-heavy" format were not addressed. New Zealand qualified for the top-tier men's competition by winning the Nations Cup last month , but the governing body said the current Pro League format was "misaligned with New Zealand's high-performance goals". The decision to withdraw was made following consultation with players, coaches and key stakeholders. Hockey New Zealand said they had "long advocated for a more flexible and inclusive Pro League model" and while the international governing body FIH is reviewing the competition "no changes have yet been made". Acting chief executive officer Ken Maplesden said the current format was "expensive, travel-heavy, and limits home games". "It doesn't support the sustainable, athlete-first programme we're building in New Zealand." The Black Sticks women also turned down their Pro League spot, earned by winning the Nations Cup in March, due to similar challenges. Maplesden believed opting out of the League highlighted the "structural barriers facing geographically remote nations like New Zealand" in the current competition set-up. "This wasn't taken lightly. We're proud of what both teams achieved to qualify. But after consultation with athletes and staff, it became clear the Pro League isn't workable for us right now." Returning to the Pro League remained a goal for Hockey New Zealand as long as it did not compromise a sustainable high-performance programme. Black Sticks men coach Greg Nicol said the decision not to play was in line with the New Zealand programme's aim of "prioritising wellbeing, smart preparation, and long-term success. We want to play the best, but not at the cost of people or the programme". The decision is supported by the New Zealand Hockey Players Association (NZHPA) and the organisation's executive manager Glen Sulzberger said the players " desperately" want to be part of top-level international hockey. "That right to participate should not come at such a high cost to them as players, and also to the game in New Zealand," Sulzberger said. "What is clear is that the Pro League does not meet its original objectives, nor has it evolved to become a viable competition. The FIH is failing its duty to the game." Black Sticks player Sam Lane said it was "disappointing" not to be able to compete after qualifying. "We understand the challenges with the league and implore the FIH to properly engage and listen to what athletes have to say," Lane said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Hockey: India, Pakistan likely to renew rivalry as Green Shirts likely to be offered a spot next season
India and Pakistan could face each other in the next season of the hockey Pro League after the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said on Monday that the Green Shirts could be offered a spot in case New Zealand do not participate. New Zealand are eligible to play in the top-tier of world hockey for the 2025-26 season after they won the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, beating Pakistan 6-2 in the final. However, they haven't yet confirmed their participation in the competition so far. The FIH said in a release on Monday that they have 'extended an invitation to Hockey New Zealand for their men's team to join Pro League again next season'. The world body added: 'Since New Zealand's hockey governing body is currently undertaking a thorough analysis and decision-making process in this regard, FIH has approved their request for an extension of the deadline to confirm or decline their participation until 21 July.' If New Zealand decide not the participate, the FIH said 'the runners-up of the Men's Nations Cup, namely Pakistan, would have the opportunity to consider joining the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League season.' A similar scenario has already transpired in the women's tournament where New Zealand did not accept the invitation to join the Pro League despite winning the Nations Cup, the FIH said. Their spot was handed over to Ireland, the second-placed team. 'Ireland was promoted through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in Chile earlier this year. Whilst New Zealand won that event against Ireland in the final, Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks would not proceed with the invitation to join Pro League this time. Therefore, as stipulated in the regulations, FIH extended the invitation to the runners-up, namely Ireland, who have confirmed their participation,' the FIH said. Pakistan's return to the Pro League would mean two more matches between the neighbours in the lead up to the Asian Games and the World Cup, if the two teams qualify. India and Pakistan are scheduled to take on each other in August-September at the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, and then later in the year at the Junior World Cup.
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Otago's new Fab Four help NZ to victory
Otago hockey has a new Fab Four. Benji Culhane, Malachi Buschl and brothers Finn and Patrick Ward have helped the Black Sticks men charge to victory in the Nations Cup in Malaysia. They are treading in the footsteps of Otago greats Hugo Inglis, Blair Tarrant, Kane Russell and Nick Ross, who made many of their own special memories in national colours. The Black Sticks thumped Pakistan 6-2 in the final in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to seal back-to-back Nations Cup wins. The atmosphere at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur was electric with a bumper crowd containing passionate Pakistan supports and a handful of Kiwis. There was something of a chaotic start as Scott Boyde appeared to open the scoring for the New Zealanders inside the first minute but it was overturned after a referral. Two minutes later, Sean Findlay found the net from a penalty corner, but again it was referred and again it was ruled out. Finally, in-form forward Scott Cosslett stepped up to bury a drag flick to give the Black Sticks the lead. Sam Hiha made it 2-0 late in the first quarter with a deflected field goal, but the Black Sticks felt they could easily have been up by four or five goals. Two more goals in the first four minutes of the second quarter meant the game was effectively under control. Dylan Thomas and Sean Findlay both delivered quality finishes as the Black Sticks camped in the Pakistan half. Boyde added another field goal to make it 5–0 by the end of the second quarter. New Zealand had 22 scoring opportunities in the first half to Pakistan's four, reflecting the gulf in performance between the sides. Pakistan came out stronger in the third quarter and managed to pull back one goal. The final quarter had a bit of everything as Pakistan kept pushing but the New Zealand defence held strong. Dom Dixon had some clutch defensive moments in goal, and the team stayed composed as the intensity lifted. With three minutes to go, the Black Sticks were awarded a penalty corner, resulting in another Cosslett goal, and a late Pakistan score was mere consolation. It followed a dramatic semifinal win after a penalty shootout against Korea. Jonty Elmes and Thomas gave the Black Sticks a 2-0 lead but Korea scored twice to send the game to strokes. Louis Beckert stepped into the New Zealand goal for the shootout and made two early saves, and Nic Woods stepped up to bury the final stroke to send the Black Sticks into the final. Woods, as he was last year, was later named the tournament's most valuable player, and Dixon was named best goalkeeper. "It's nice to have one of those games where things just come together and it all clicked today," Woods said after the final. "I'm very happy that it happened in the final and very happy for our success, and looking forward to what we can accomplish together." Last year, Hockey New Zealand elected not to accept promotion for the Black Sticks into the top-tier FIH Pro League due to concerns around economics, timing and long-term funding for the Olympic cycle. It remains to be seen whether they will chose to go back to the top league.
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
City to host future NZ hockey stars
New Zealand's future hockey stars are set to descend on Timaru as the city prepares to host the Vantage National Under-18 Men's Tournament for the first time. Held across both turfs at the Trust Aoraki Hockey Centre, the tournament is the third highest level hockey tournament in the country and will feature 21 of the best men's under-18 teams from around the country. Hockey South Canterbury president Pete Stayt said it was a privilege to have been selected to host the prestigious tournament. "Late every year Hockey New Zealand put out expressions of interest for tournaments and there is a qualifying level, what you need to have to host it. "It's really challenging to get and a big reason we got the tournament was down to getting the second turf installed. We wouldn't have qualified without it. "Everyone wants this tournament because the under-18's are the bright lights, these are the future Black Sticks. This tournament is the first formal opportunity, they call it, for recognition and identification." He said hosting the tournament proved the strength of the sport in the region. "The association has hosted tournaments in the past like the Hatch Cup and other underage events but this is a big, big thing and it's a reflection of how the national hockey community sees South Canterbury, both from a performance view but also a governance view. "You layer that on top of our success in inter-school and hockey in general, and it's a really exciting time [for hockey in South Canterbury]." The tournament would not only be big for the sport in the region but for the local economy, Mr Stayt said. "Using Venture Timaru data, it will bring over a million dollars of outside cash into South Canterbury in a week. "The idea is to make sure the people coming here really get a taste of South Canterbury and enjoy it. We've encouraged people to travel to the likes of Lake Tekapo when the teams have a day off and let them know for example that there is a pretty good pie shop on the way. "We're trying to make it as much of an event as we can and promote the region, they all get an information sheet about what is around." He said South Canterbury could very much be in with a chance for a top finish. "In the last few years we've been rated well and truly in the top 10, last year we finished 11th but on the day the team could beat anyone. With tournament play it's a matter of stringing wins together. "You've got the big associations like Canterbury, North Harbour and Auckland but we'll be competitive against their top teams. With everything going right and with knockout matches, you can fight your way through, and that's the great thing about tournaments. "There'll be some close games and a lot of excitement, so we really want to encourage people to come and watch, because these are the stars of the future." He said a lot of community support went into making the tournament happen. "Trust Aoraki has been a phenomenal sponsor of hockey and they've directly helped with the organisation costs and we've got Portacom Building Solutions as an additional tournament supporter. "Others like Fulton Hogan, Hilton Haulage, U-Bake, Bullock Bar, Saikou, Timaru Fencing, Beaconsfield School and Hadlee & Brunton also pitched in. There is a real community behind it." South Canterbury have been placed in Pool D, alongside Hawke's Bay and Auckland (White). Their first game will take place on the new alps turf at 10am against Hawke's Bay on Sunday June 29. All games are free to attend and the tournament draw will be uploaded on to the Hockey South Canterbury Facebook page.
