Massey whānau come together for National Hockey Championships in Palmerston North

With 50 teams competing, Massey’s state-of-the-art turf hosted 46 matches alongside the twin turfs and Levin turf. Among the participants were many current students and alumni, who had a notable presence in both the men’s and women’s Tier One Finals. Two Manawatū women’s teams participated, with the Emeralds finishing fourth in Tier One and Manawatū White placing 12th in Tier Two. The three Manawatū men’s teams included one finishing eighth in Tier One, the Mavericks placing seventh in Tier Two and the Rams in 18th in Tier Two.

The event concluded with Auckland securing the women’s title in a shootout against North Harbour after a 1-1 draw at full time, while Canterbury triumphed in the men’s competition by defeating North Harbour 2-1.

Sports Advancement Coordinator Chris Sharrock says it was a fantastic experience to have the Championship hosted in part on the Manawatū campus.

“It was great seeing so many of our Massey whānau competing at such a high level, which truly highlights the talent within our community. Sharing our turf with the community and hosting so many amazing players and their supporters was a privilege and a testament to the vibrant sporting culture here at Massey. I hope the success of this event has paved the way for more opportunities in the future to continue the growth of hockey in Manawatū.”

First-year business student Ethan Campbell was keen to be involved, having played hockey for as long as he can remember. He joined the Tier One Manawatū team for the last three matches of the tournament, describing it as a good mix of pressure and excitement.

“I’ve always loved hockey, and playing at the Massey turf was a huge advantage. It felt great to compete in familiar surroundings and it was pretty cool to jam at that level of hockey. Scoring one of the three goals in our relegation match was definitely a memorable moment, as well as playing alongside respected players like Black Stick and Massey alumnus Nick Wilson.”

The preparation leading up to the final games included multiple warm-up fixtures against teams like Horowhenua Kapiti, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, but Ethan says he still found himself learning a crucial lesson following the event.

“I learned I need to prep my shin splints to keep up with the demands of tournament hockey!”

Alongside balancing his studies in property and finance, Ethan also maintains an intensive training regime for cricket and says it can have its challenges.

“Lately, I’ve been training for cricket four to six times a week, and one of the days includes training down in Wellington, which takes a big chunk out of my day to get other work done. But there are highlights, like meeting new people in my course, and I’m looking forward to diving into the property aspect of my degree.”

With aspirations to join the Academy of Sport Programme to access further resources to help balance his sport and study, Ethan has already begun setting benchmarks for personal growth through fitness testing that took place earlier this year.

Reflecting on the impact of hosting the National Hockey Championship in Palmerston North, Ethan says he believes it can positively impact the sport scene in the Manawatū region.

“Having world-class players like Sam Lane from Canterbury in attendance is incredibly motivating for young athletes and can inspire the next generation of hockey players in New Zealand.”