Taranaki hockey players earn rep call up

Will Johnston

Photo: Five New Plymouth Boys' High School players have been selected in the New Zealand men's U18 hockey squad. 

The strength of Taranaki’s hockey programmes is starting to show after five players were selected in the New Zealand U18 squads, the most it’s seen.

Ben James, Dylan Benton, Dean Clarkson and Owen Brown, all from New Plymouth Boys’ High School, were picked in the men’s squad, while New Plymouth Girls’ High School player Nicole Kowalewski was selected in the women’s.

The players will attend a future Black Sticks super camp in early October in Hamilton. The camp will give players international and development experience with the players earmarked for the Gold Coast Olympics in 2032.  

Taranaki Hockey representative coach director Jamie Stones said the region hasn’t had this many players selected in the squads.

“We’ve had Anna Crowley, Hope Ralph and Holly Pearson who made the women’s teams a few years ago,” he said.

“They’ve gone on and done some amazing things in hockey. Hopefully these characters can make a name for themselves and go onto bigger and better things.”

All the players can add something different to any team, Stones said. Kowalewski, also involved in the central side as a defender, has been a key player for New Plymouth Old Boys in the premier women’s competition.

It’s Clarkson’s second year in the squad.

The selections are off the back of Taranaki’s successful run-of-form in the nationals in Dunedin a fortnight ago.

The U18 men claimed the silver medal in the tournament which was their best result. The women finished in the top eight. 

Men’s under 21 head coach Aaron Ford said the camps are a chance to Hockey New Zealand to push international learning into the development system.

“The players, coaches and staff at these camps all take back the lessons and share them with their communities,” he said.

“This is as much about growing the whole system as it is accelerating the individual’s growth.”

In the club scene, Kowalewski’s side lost their women’s premier final 4-2 to Hawera on Saturday in Stratford.

The players from Boys’ High enjoyed a 7-4 in the men’s premier final against two-time defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys.

Old Boys pulled their keeper off to allow an extra field player to come on with five minutes to go when the score was 5-4.

Stones said Boys High’s programme is going well, which includes playing in the men’s premier competition along with Super 8 and other secondary school competitions.

Overall, player and coaching numbers are strong across the region.  

“We’ve got some good coaches who can mold them into some nice players and compete with the best which is awesome.”