Twist in tail of hockey request

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 6

Twist in tail of hockey request

Even the minnows of the hockey world do not want to know New Zealand it seems because the sport does not boast an artificial surface. The management committee of the New Zealand Hockey Association last evening received a letter from the Chile Hockey Federation seeking matches in New Zealand in January or February. But the request had a twist in the tail. "We would like to know if you have an artificial surface in your country because our team needs to play and train on such a surface." said the letter. The team is making the tour to prepare for the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela next July. A reply will be sent explaining that New Zealand does not possess an artificial surface, but that it would, still be interested in hosting the team. “The edict from the International Hockey Federation that all future major international

tournaments have to be played on artificial surfaces is going to create problems for countries such as New Zealand who don’t have artificial surfaces." said the chairman. Mr D. L. Coulter. Mr Pieter Jongejan has been appointed as the national director of coaching for the 1984 and 1985 seasons by the joint coaching committee of the national men’s and women’s associations. He has been granted a year's leave next year. In his absence Mr Brian Maunsell, of Palmerston North, will be the national coaching co-ordinator, assisted by a South Island co-ordinator (Mrs Pat Barwick) and a North Island co-ordinator (Mr Wayne Boyd). After five years as chairman of the N.Z.H.A., Mr Coulter will retire from the position at the annual meeting next month. He is one of three nominations for vice-president of the association and if successful will remain a member of the management committee.