Inter-club hockey

Press, 27 March 1981, Page 20

Inter-club hockey

The' Victoria University hockey club in Wellington, which resurrected the national men’s inter-club hockey competition last year, will run it again this year. Entries will close on April 10, and already there are 20, three short of last year’s figure. The club is certain that that figure will be surpassed, according to one of the organisers, Mr M. Arnott, yesterday. Last year’s winner, Auckland University, had not entered, but was expected to, said Mr Arnott. The beaten finalist, Karori, of Wellington, has told the organisers that it will enter.

Only one Christchurch club. University, is among

the entries. It felt that it was unable to play in the competition last year, because of heavy commitments, but was one of the first entries this year. High School Old Boys and Sydenham-Cashmere, the two Christchurch teams that entered last year, have not yet entered. Two Otago teams, Albany and University, will appear this year. The province was not represented last year. Northland, Wanganui, Manawatu, and Central Hawke’s Bay are other areas represented. When compiling the draw, the organisers will tiy to keep travel to a minimum and this will mean some seeding of the draw. The same system was used last

year, said Mr Arnott, and was acceptable to the teams. The inter-club competition was first held in 1977 when the Philips company provided sponsorship to the New Zealand Hockey Association. When the N.Z.H.A. could not secure sponsorship the next year the competition fell through. Victoria believed that the competition was worth while, and on its own initiative last year reintroduced it. The club has been unsuccessful in its endeavours to secure sponsorship to offset the cost of the competition. Teams pay an entry fee of $25. and are responsible for their, travel costs. The first round of games will be played on May 3.