Hockey dates

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 8

Hockey dates

The P. 0.5.8. Trophy tournament, or “champions tournament" as it was dubbed by hockey people, will be extended and played at a different time next season. The New Zealand Hockey Association’s management committee was told last evening that two of the major associations, Canterbury and Auckland, favoured a later time during the season and an extension to prevent teams having to play twice in a day. The tournament was held for the first time this year, and played on the artificial surface at Mount Albert Park in Wellington. It was for the top six men’s and women’s team at last year’s national tournaments. . Canvassed for their ideas after the inaugural tournaseveral teams said.that

no more than one game a day should be played on the artificial turf, and that the tournament should be played later in the season. The N.Z.H.A. decided to play the 1986 tournament at Queen’s Birthday Weekend and over five days — the minimum required under the present format. Over the next three years the N.Z.H.A. hopes to attract several of the worlds leading teams to New Zealand. The Netherlands is due to play in Australia next year and the N.Z.H.A. will ask the Dutch if they are interested in extending their tour to include New Zealand. In 1987 New Zealand hopes to attract West Germany to New Zealand for the first time, and in 1988 it hopes that either or India will tour.