Hibiscus Hockey hosts first international game

A treat was in store for hockey fans when the Blacksticks Women played a warm-up friendly match against Japan at the Hibiscus Hockey turfs in Millwater on April 9.

The game attracted a crowd of around 400 keen to see the teams in action, ahead of test matches at the National Hockey Centre in North Harbour on April 13 and 14.

It was the first time an international match had been played on the Millwater turf and Hibiscus Hockey Trust chair Merv Huxford says the offer fell into his lap. 

“As part of North Harbour’s hosting rights to the series, Hockey NZ offered a practice game at a local turf  and North Harbour asked if we were interested,” he says. “There were some logistics to work through but we said ‘yes’ in an instant and were excited to be able to make it happen locally.”

Preparations included thoroughly watering the turf, right up to the start of the game, to reduce the bounce of the ball and increase slide and speed. 

Local schools were also able to get involved, with nearby Kingsway College providing facilities for both teams to use, as well as ball kids for the match. Students made artwork for the Japanese team to put in their dugout and players from the school’s 1st XI walked the Blacksticks down to the turf.Ōrewa College students took on parking and sausage sizzle duties. 

The game was a friendly practice, yet both teams gave their all. They are close in their international ranking, but while Japan made the upcoming Olympics, the Blacksticks Women missed out by a small margin.

The first goal went to the Blacksticks just before quarter time and 1-0 was still the score at half time. However, Japan came back in the second half, scoring the winning goal on full-time to take the game, 2-1.

The teams signed autographs and posed for photos after the match, with supporters enjoying the chance to get up close to the players.

Teams also signed their respective name plates from the scoreboard, which have been mounted in Hibiscus Hockey’s cabin as a permanent memento of the first international game at the turf.