Trans-Tasman tests in women’s hockey?

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 30

Trans-Tasman tests in women’s hockey?

By KEVIN TUTTY The New Zealand women’s hockey team could play the Olympic gold medallist, Australia, in a four-test series next year. The New Zealand Hockey Federation has received a letter from the Australian Women's Hockey Federation suggesting a test series. David Appleby, the chairman of the N.Z.H.F. said no format for the series had been suggested, but New Zealand would like a four-test series played on a home and away basis. “We support that concept because we believe it is necessary for our teams to get competition at home and, it would be great to get the Olympic gold medallist here.” The federation will reply to the Australians’ suggesting the four test home-and-away series. The federation, at its recent board meeting, decided to call for nominations for all official positions for national teams.

Nominations will close on January 31, 1989, and appointments will be made to the various teams on February 24. Mr Appleby said the nominations would be for all personnel — managers, coaches, doctors and physiotherapists — for the national senior and junior men’s and women’s teams. The board felt it was preferable to tidy the list of

appointments and make them for a certain period.

“For instance Pat Barwick (the coach of the national women’s team) has been appointed only until May next year. There is a tour of Asia proposed in May, possibly the series with Australia, and the World Cup in Sydney in 1990. “Rather than have appointments fall due during the season the board felt it was preferable to tidy up the appointments for the sake of the coaches,” said Mr Appleby.

He believed the incumbents would have the advantage.

Asked if the chances of the men's team performing well in the vital Inter-Continental Cup tournament next July would be seriously hindered if Alwyn Riggs was not reappointed, as national coach, Mr Appleby replied: “People have got to accept that the board will act responsibly when we consider the appointments.” The board has confirmed that the New Zealand junior women’s team will play in the finals of the inaugural Junior Women’s World Cup in Ottawa next July. The team qualified with a surprising 3-2 win against Australia in . Brisbane last month. The Australian team included three gold medallists from the Seoul Olympics.

The board has also confirmed a proposed tour of Asia in May next year for the

national women’s team. Mr Appleby said the two tours were expected to cost about $120,000. Consistent with its policy of developing youth players, the board will also send the New Zealand junior men’s team to Australia for a series of matches.

The board is following the lead of several other sports and will appoint a players’ committee. The national men’s and women’s captains will be automatic appoint-

ments and each will appoint two other play’ers The .board wants to establish several regional coaches throughout the country and have them operating at the start of next season? The board intends to start a hockey newspaper next year to improve communication among the sport’s 35.000 players, and it has also decided to run a national raffle, although it will not be compulsory for clubs to participate.