ISSUE 3 - 2010 season Northland talent in the Black Sticks squad

is Head Teacher has been vital. She’s aware of the sacrifices her partner and family make and says they’re “awesome – I couldn’t do it without them”. Her grandparents are also part of the support crew; “They tell everyone they know – they’re so proud!”

Knowing there’s further selection following Champions Trophy, Anna hopes the work and lack of sleep are worth it. “When it’s so hard you’re just about spewing on the turf, you have to have the self-belief to get through it”. Anna says although it’s her second year in the squad after Oceania Cup and Champions Challenge last year, she’s never Blackstick’s players Anita Punt and celebrate during the recent series against India. comfortable. “It’s always nice to get that phone call and know you’re back The Black Sticks women’s squad departing for the in”. Champions Trophy tournament in Nottingham, England in With the team departing in late June, late June highlights Northland’s ongoing strength. Anna and Laura are exceptionally focused on their training. Their dedication is evident and there Current NHL reps Laura Douglas, game, as many hockey players know. should be plenty of opportunities for Anna Thorpe and Charlotte Harrison Saturdays are club hockey and Sunday the Hockey Northland community were named, with Ella Gunson on they get a day off. “We definitely to show their support and keep up her expected return from injury. need a break by then!” says Laura. Other players with Northland roots with games on television – check Sky Sport and the Hockey NZ website are midfielders Stacey Michelsen and A couple of physio sessions are www.hockeynz.co.nz for details. Sam Harrison (North Harbour and fitted in so “any niggle gets seen to NHL respectively). before it becomes a bigger problem”. The team works with a nutritionist to For Laura Douglas the reselection ensure the right intake of nutrients came as a surprise after being and energy. There’s some leeway to dropped a couple of years ago. She allow for temptation; Laura reckons puts her selection down to hard work “As long as we’re sticking about 80% and training – good preparation for to the plan, she’s happy!” the team’s current weekly regime. To make it work with family and work Mondays and Wednesdays at North commitments, “you kind of have to Harbour involve team training and juggle it all” says Laura. “I’ve been individual work with coach Mark really lucky though, Kamo High School Hager. Other weekdays see gym has been great with support and time sessions at Fitness Plus focusing off, and my family are there doing on fitness, weights, and ‘Pre-hab’. things for me too.” This particularly supports abdominal strength, helping prevent back Anna Thorpe says support from family Ella Gunson hits the ball under an Argentina injuries – a common hazard of the and Onerahi Kindergarten where she player.

1 www.northlandhockey.org.nz Junior Umpires spread their wings

Shirley Blake was “meant junior umpires are supported and ‘graduates’. Shirley sees junior “protected”. This is important, as umpires like Brooke Johnson as role to be retiring from this, but is strong parental involvement and models for others. Brooke umpired I haven’t got very far…”. support, to help juniors develop their at Nationals and was selected by handling of both on turf and sideline the Umpires Managers for an elite ‘This’ is her involvement, along action. Initially they are put with umpiring squad. She was unable to with Pauline Johnson, in managing another graded umpire, and although take up the opportunity to umpire the Association’s successful junior Shirley says “you can only coach in National U15 girls as she was umpiring programme. She enjoys umpires when they’re on the field”, selected to play! Fortunately Mum seeing her young charges, from age a lot of follow up work is done with Pauline can step in and umpire in her 10 “if they show enough hockey de-briefing. place. ‘nous’”, develop knowledge of the finer points of the game. Shirley tells Discipline is essential, with juniors The only downside Shirley sees is of a new junior asking all the right marked on appearance including Northland ‘loses’ many of its junior questions about how rules were wearing their hat, having their umpires as “kids end up all over applied. “She’d read the rule book whistle, notebook, pen etc., and of the countryside”. The fact there are three times already and only been course being at the grounds 10 – 15 more coming through suggests this given it the week before!” minutes before their game - a 7.15am isn’t all bad. Shirley still “gets such start on Saturdays for some. a buzz” seeing the development This enthusiasm sees Shirley back and interaction of her young crew in ’boots and all’. The commitment Support from sponsors Dempster and it looks like the programme will from Shirley and Pauline is and Hill is critical to helping the be turning out many more success significant, particularly given the way programme develop successful stories in the future. Masters Masters have been busy with NZ Nationals in Nelson in early March, followed by Australia for the national reps. The Trans-Tasman series in Newcastle was the first overseas trip with the team for Alan Moscrip. “I didn’t know anyone other than Steve Shepherd, but they were a neat bunch of guys – there was even another cow cockie, from the Naki!” enthused Alan.

With “awesome weather” the NZ contingent performed strongly, winning 6 of the 9 age brackets. Alan and Steve’s series (40s Men) was initially drawn with the Aussies, but lost on a count back.

One feature was the group’s camaraderie. Alan says the spirit on the turf was very competitive. “We’d paid to get there so we didn’t want to do it half-pie, but as soon as the whistle goes, you leave it there.”

A further bonus was a renewed appreciation for home turf. “The Aussie stadium was an international facility, but no offence to them, what we’ve got in Northland is better.” Hmmm, Northland Masters contingent that went to Australia. that’s not something you’d say too loud Back Row: Graeme Bint, Steve Shepherd, Alan Moscrip, Barry Thorne. while surrounded by Australians! Front Row: Peggy Shepherd, Colleen Prendergast, Cheryl Thorne, Donna Ford, Lisa Craggs.

2 www.northlandhockey.org.nz Holiday Programme NHL update It’s a rocky ride with preparation for this year’s tournament over 11-12 and 18-26 September.

Technical issues with turf repairs at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington mean the venue for finals week has been relocated to North Harbour. The upside for Northland teams and supporters is the proximity to home.

Hockey Northland CEO Grant McLeod says it will be a challenging tournament with both men’s and women’s Black Sticks teams away. “It will be a bit of a struggle for some teams with the top players out – it will put pressure on the franchises to

Blackstick’s player Laura Douglas, overseeing a game of Hockey Scramble. bring players into their teams.” An additional challenge for the Star power was a high point in the April holiday Northland women’s team is the loss coaching programme. of coach Angeline Waetford. Selected as Assistant Coach for the National Hockey Northland Coachforce Coach U17 girls’ team, Angeline is heading Bevan Gibbs says Black Sticks Laura for the Youth Olympics in Singapore Douglas and added in August. Grant knows it was a “awe factor and fun value – their tough decision and wishes her all youthful approach worked with the the best. “We know she’ll bring back kids and they contributed heaps of plenty of skills and ideas from her hockey knowledge”. development with the team”.

The programme ran in Whangarei and In the meantime she will keenly Kaikohe for years three to eight with watch the team’s progress – the 20 – 30 kids per day. Bevan is happy draw details are yet to be announced with the programme’s success and but NZ Hockey confirmed Northland credits the involvement of other up would host one day in the first and coming players including Elley weekend double header. The NHL Miller, Melissa Simpson, Black Sticks draw will be on the Hockey NZ development player Nicola Howes and website once confirmed. U21 rep Jade McLeod. The main aims were fun, coaching Results at an appropriate level and teaching games for understanding. Beat the Masters 28 Feb - 6 Mar Nelson: Black Stick was a favourite, as was Men’s 55 5th place Hockey Bullrush. The programme Men’s 40 5th place will run at least in Whangarei and Men’s 35 8th place (played out of age group so had to finish 8th) hopefully in BOI as well in the next Women’s 45 6th place school holidays. Dates for the July Alana Millington (Blacksticks squad member) Women’s 40 6th place school holidays are on the Hockey taking on two young players in a game of Women’s 35 3rd place Northland website. Hockey Bullrush. U21 National tournament 1 – 8 May Palmerston North: Combined Northland / North Harbour our people... teams – congratulations to women’s team on their 2nd placing and men’s on Our thoughts are with the Gunson family after the sad passing of Gabrielle their 3rd. Gunson recently. Queen’s Birthday: Congratulations to Mel Oakden on the birth of her baby boy Liam on 11th March. U18 Boys 7th ENL U18 Girls 3rd And it’s grandchild number six for Betty – congrats on the arrival of baby girl U15 Boys 5th = Addison on 24th May. Northern Advocate U15 Girls 4th

www.northlandhockey.org.nz 3 Junior Hockey Academy Who could you nominate? Hockey Northland CEO Grant McLeod is encouraging Tuesday mornings see an elite collegiate group take to the clubs and players to get turf in the Association’s flagship coaching programme. involved in this year’s awards to recognise contributions Under the guidance of Head Coach Millington. After five years in the to the game. Grant McLeod, talented year 9 – Academy, Alana now helps coach the 13 players focus on fitness and current crop. Northland U21 goalie At the sponsors and supporters skills. Northland Coachforce Coach Rachael Lecky is one coming through. dinner in November awards include Bevan Gibbs says the programme She says her longer-term hockey Umpires, Admin and Supporters is designed to develop players for goals reflect exactly what the and Service, along with the New Zealand, so although entry Academy is all about. prestigious Peter Lawson Memorial is open, a trial process filters the Trophy and the Stick awards. It’s group to 24 each year. “I hope to go all the way – an opportunity for clubs to that’s what we’re aiming for”. acknowledge people whose hard The programme’s quality is evident work and dedication might in the players it produces, including Dates for player selection for 2011 otherwise go ‘under the radar’. current Black Sticks Laura Douglas will be advertised through schools and Anna Thorpe, also Jasmine and the Hockey Northland website Details on the nomination process McQuinn, Nicola Howes and Alana soon. will be available on the website soon, or contact Grant or Betty on 437 3830. If you have an interesting story or idea for our next issue of Turf News please contact the Hockey Northland office: 437 3830

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