Taranaki hockey teams to play in national tournament

Will Johnston 

Taranaki hockey players will embark on unknown territory this weekend when the men’s and women’s teams compete in the Ford national hockey championship in Hamilton.  

It will be Taranaki’s first outing at the five-day tournament since 2019 when it’s held at the Gallagher Hockey Centre.   

Coach of both teams Jamie Stone said it will be hard to gauge how well the teams will go. 

“Both teams are placed in the tier two championship and will be looking to see if they can sneak into the semi-finals and cause a stir for promotion,” he said.  

“It’s very hard to know with no major pre-season games how we will go until we rip into game one on Sunday.”  

There have been challenges for Stones ahead of the tournament because he’s had to manage Taranaki-born players coming back from university. They have a small local training squad with many of the players joining the team this week during the holidays.  

“This adds a level of complexity to the build-up but also a level of excitement as a lot of these players are re-joining others who they played school hockey or age level reps with.”  

The women’s team has been bolstered by Black Sticks player Anna Crowley, who was recently given the all-clear to play after she broke her eye socket before a test match against Great Britian in April. The tournament will be a good warm-up for her before she plays for Adelaide in the Australian league starting in October.  

Stones said her inclusion has created excitement around the women’s team.  

“Anna will be an integral part of our defense and midfield throughout the week.” 

Now Christchurch-based, Kate Atkinson is another notable addition and will control the midfield while being an asset at penalty corners.  

In the men’s team, Daniel Foss, also based in Christchurch, will be a crucial cog to the side, Stones admits.  

“His work rate and energy will be a massive boost for our midfield.”  

Stratford’s Jayden Roodbeen will add experience in the midfield and defense. Stones said his calm presence and silky skills will be much needed for the men to have success during the week.  

The men will play North Harbour, South Canterbury, Tauranga, Tasman and Otago.  

The women play Southland, Tasman, Waikato and Wairarapa.  

A top two pool placing will see the teams through to the semi-finals. 

Taranaki women: Kate Atkinson, Hannah Baker, Libby Clement, Anna Crowley, Kate Fraser, Maree Gillespie, Georgia Goonan, Riley Grylls, Janika Hey, Nicole Kowalewski, Brooke Morison, Annika Roodbeen, Natalia Roughton, Alex Shearman, Kelly Sutherland, Jorja Symes, Danae van der Merwe, Nicole Wong. Coach: Jamie Stones.  

Taranaki men: Dylan Benton, Owen Brown, Mitchell Bunning, Bopanna Cariappa, Dean Clarkson, Flynn Crofsky, Harry Darke, Millan Fisher, Daniel Foss, Ethan Lehmann, James Linehan, Jack Mitchell, Kyle Ostenfeld, Antonin Otto, Jayden Roodbeen, Thomas Schaare, Michael Spurdle. Coach: Jamie Stones.