Midlands Under 21 Trials

The dates, venues and times have been set for the Midlands Under 21 Trials for 2010. Please give some serious consideration to taking part in these trials. They offer a great opportunity to test your hockey skills against your peers.

The teams will be named soon after the second round of trials. This year's Under 21 tournament is being held in Palmerston North from 1-8 May inclusive.

Womens -

Sunday 7 March 2010 - Blake Park, Tauranga: 12.00 midday to 2.00pm
Tuesday 9 March 2010 - Gallagher Hockey Centre, Hamilton: 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Mens -

Sunday 28 February 2010 - Blake Park, Tauranga: 12.00 midday to 2.00pm
Sunday 7 March 2010 - Gallagher Hockey Centre, Hamilton: 12.00 midday to 2.00pm

Fetch 2010

Don't forget that the new Midlands Fetch programme is coming to your town in early 2010. The opportunity to train with some of the region's top Coaches will give you a great kick start for your 2010 hockey season.

Fetch takes the form of five, one hour long coaching sessions, held at turfs in Rotorua, Pukekohe, Tauranga, Ngatea and Hamilton. Check out the 'Fetch' section of the website for further details including information on how to register.

Midlands appoint a new Executive Officer

The Board of Midlands Hockey is delighted to announce that Cherie McCleery has been appointed as the new Executive Officer to replace Casey Henwood.

Cherie joins Midlands after 9 years with the Perry Foundation where she has held roles including regional grants coordinator, communications advisor, executive assistant and gaming administrator. Cherie is a former hockey player, has two hockey playing kids (daughter and son) and, along with her husband Mike, is an avid sports fan.

2010 Summer Camps are Underway

Hamilton has turned on some great weather for the 2010 Summer Camps, and the approx 230 players from throughout the Midlands Region are working hard to upskill for the coming season. The Coaching Team, headed by Darren Smith, Lincoln Churchill and Hymie Gill, includes current Black Sticks Hugo Inglis, Cat Finlayson, Kate Mahon and Clarissa Eshuis. "Our current New Zealand players are dedicated to helping our youngsters develop" says Darren, "and these summer camps are a great way for young hockey player to rub shoulders with their sporting heroes."

Midlands' Inglis set for Higher Honours

Ex Otago, and now current Midlands Player, 18-year-old Hugo Inglis is the last minute surprise bolter of the Black Sticks Men’s Hockey team named in December 2009 to contest the BDO World Cup Qualifier, being played in Invercargill.

Inglis, who was the National Hockey League top goal scorer while playing for Midlands this year, has been selected for his natural talents in front of goal.

The team’s only new cap, Inglis, played for the Junior Black Sticks in a recent matchup against the Black Sticks for the first two matches before being called across to be part of the senior side for the last match.

National Coach Shane McLeod said. “Every time Hugo is taken to a new level he rises to the occasion. I originally thought it might be a little early for him, but he has come along well at Midlands this year.”

Local Players Shine in South Africa

After the New Zealand women's success at the Champions Trophy in South Africa, two of the teams players from the Midlands region have received even higher accolades. Gemma Flynn was named as Player of the Tournament and Clarissa Eshuis as Top Goal Scorer.

Midlands' Hockey Awards Evening

After the recent annual awards night Midlands Hockey is pleased to announce the following recipients of the major awards:

NHL Most Valuable Player - Women: Clarissa Eshuis
NHL Most Valuable Player - Men: Richard Petherick
NHL Most Promising Player - Women: Sam Charlton
NHL Most Promising Player - Men: Hugo Inglis

U21 Most Valuable Player - Women: Gemma Flynn
U21 Most Valuable Player - Men: Ricky Clark
U21 Most Promising Player - Women: Kim Tanner
U21 Most Promising Player - Men: Zac Woods

Secondary Schools Most Valuable Player - Girls: Kim Tanner
Secondary Schools Most Valuable Player - Boys: Matthew Rees-Gibbs

Black Sticks Women win Champions Challenge tournament

Bayleys Midlands players Clarissa Eshuis, Gemma Flynn and Kate Mahon were members of the successful Black Sticks Women, winning the Champions Challenge tournament in South Africa. Midlander Debbie Balme, Black Sticks Manager, was extremely pleased with the teams performance throughout the final "the team went out there from the beginning wanting to win, it's an awesome result and we deserved it." Click to read more on the Hockey NZ website

NZ Tiger Turf to play in Hamilton

Midlands Hockey will play host to the Queensland and the NZ Tiger Turf teams this week at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton. Please click here for further details