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All the news for Friday 22 May 2015

Quick Start Leads Team USA over Ireland in Game Two


Photo: Mark Palczewski

LANCASTER, Pa. – In perfect playing conditions, the U.S. Women’s National Team finished in respectable fashion with a 3-0 victory over Ireland in the second match of the preparatory test series.

Just 50 seconds after the starting whistle, Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) found the back of the cage giving Team USA an early 1-0 lead. With an aggressive mentality present in both teams, athletes were warned early about physical play after a green card was issued to USA’s Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.) in the 7th minute. For the remainder of the quarter, multiple scoring opportunities and corners were present for the USWNT but none were capitalized.

With positive possessions and scoring chances shifting in from the first quarter, Team USA fought hard in the opening minutes of the second quarter. In the 20th minute a penalty stroke was awarded to the USWNT for an Irish foot behind the goalkeeper. Ali McEvoy (Gilbertsville, Pa.) converted on the chance to make the score USA 2, IRL 0.

Determination didn’t break in the third quarter as Team USA continued to produce shots on cage. Resilient and a solid overall defensive performance by the USWNT held Ireland to zero shots and zero corners in the first two quarters. When Ireland did get their first shot on cage in the 41st minute, USA's goalkeeper Alesha Widdall (Whitney Point, N.Y.) held tough to make the save.

In the 48th minute, Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) received a missed trapped ball by an Ireland player and found herself in a 2v1 situation with the Irish goalkeeper. She fed the ball to Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa.) who tallied the third goal of the match to make the final score USA 3, IRL 0.

Continue to follow Team USA in their third and final game of the series against Ireland on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. EST at Spooky Nook Sports. Check out usafieldhockey.com for more information. #UN1TED

USFHA media release

USWNT Finishes Strong to Win Series Over Ireland


Photo: Mark Palczewski

LANCASTER, Pa. – May 21, 2015 – In true test match manner, the final game of the preparatory series was an early battle between both teams. The U.S. Women’s National Team finished strong and made the most of their scoring opportunities against Ireland to win the game 4-1.

“We are delighted with the way the series has gone,” said Craig Parnham, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach. “We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and continue to develop and grow our game.”

Coming out of the whistle with a spark of determination, Team USA held much of the possession building the momentum until a prime opportunity arose. In the second minute of play, the chance seized when Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) took a shot on cage that was tipped in on the far post by Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) to give the USWNT a quick lead. Ireland responded just three minutes later when Megan Frazer tied the game off a penalty corner drag flick to the lower right hand corner of the cage.

Entering the second quarter tied, both teams worked to gain positive circle entries. Ireland with a push earned a penalty corner and scored but the play went to video review questioning danger on the shot. After review, the shot was ruled dangerous and the goal was called back. Ireland continued to attack but just before the half in the 29th minute, Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) capitalized on a shot on goal to put the USWNT up 2-1.

In the third quarter, play continued to balance between both teams until the 36th minute when Team USA earned a penalty corner. The initial shot was saved, but the rebound fell right to O’Donnell who found the back of the cage to make the score USA 3, IRL 1.

Much of the fourth quarter possession was again balanced between both teams until Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa.) capped off the scoring in the 57th minute putting the ball in the cage on a diving goal to make the final score USA 4, IRL 1.

“This has served as a final selection for the events we have coming up,” added Parham. “When we pick the team that we will send to the qualifying events, it will be the best team we can put together to represent the USA.”

The next time that Team USA will meet Ireland is in their final pool play game of the Hockey World League Semifinals in Valencia, Spain on June 16, 2015.

Continue to follow the U.S. Women’s National Team’s journey at usafieldhockey.com. #UN1TED

USFHA media release

148 teams to see an action on Memorial Day weekend at the 44th California Cup

By Jawwad Qamar



Moorpark, CA: The 2015 California Cup International Hockey Tournament begins on Friday with the start of competition in the Super Divisions at Moorpark College where both men and women will be competing for the winner take all $7,500 prize – an increase of $2,500 from previous years.

The 44th edition of one of the oldest and largest field hockey tournaments in the world, more popularly known as the Cal Cup, will feature teams from Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and the USA, consisting of over 2,500 athletes competing in 14 divisions ranging from Mixed Under-8 to Men/Women Super Divisions. Competition will take place at Moorpark College, Arroyo Vista Community Park, Moorpark High School, and Westlake High School from May 22 through May 25.

Luke Doerner

Liam de Young

This year the tournament gets a big boost by the appearance of two Australian stars: Liam de Young and Luke Doermer. Both will be playing for the Montauk Sharks from New York thus making them a huge favorite for the title in Men’s Super Division. De Young is one of the most decorated players in Australian hockey with Olympic Gold in 2004 followed by two bronze medals in 2008 and 2012. He also was part of two world titles along with four Champions Trophies while Doerner is a member of five Champions Trophies himself in addition to a world cup title.

After last year’s heroics, Michel Nallely Navarro Hernandez returns with the defending champions, Mexico, making them a big favorite to repeat in the Women’s Super Division.

Cal Cup is the premier field hockey tournament held annually in the United States under the auspices the Field Hockey Federation and California Cup Organizing Committee. In addition to $7,500 top prize in the Super Divisions, every player in the top three teams of each division will receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.

For schedule and directions to the venues, please visit www.calcup.com.

Fieldhockey.com Exclusive

EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy in Three Rock Rovers



Three Rock Rovers captain Ali Haughton is looking forward to leading his club out in front of a fervent home support this weekend as they host the EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy from May 22nd to May 25th.

Eight of Europe’s top sides will battle it out for the title, the second highest level of club competition on the continent at the Grange Road venue in Rathfarnham.Teams from Scotland, Italy, Wales, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belarus and the Czech Republic are in the mix with potential promotion to the presitigious Euro Hockey League on the line.

Speaking about the upcoming tournament, the 28-year-old Haughton – now in his 11th season with the club’s first team – cannot wait to take the field next Friday in their opening group game against Ukraine champions OKS SHSVM at 5.45pm.

“It is a fantastic honour to be involved with our exciting young team and an added bonus to be captain,” he said in the build-up to the event.

In addition, Three Rock will meet the recently crowned Scottish champions Grange on Saturday and Belarus top dogs SC Stroitel Brest on Sunday. Top spot in the group will earn a place in next Monday’s final, the clear target for Haughton and his Rovers’ team.

“It will be a highly entertaining tournament for spectators and we know it will be a big challenge. Several of teams played against our rivals, Monkstown, last season at the same level of competition in Italy so we will be aware as to how they will play.

“Our main focus is to concentrate on our tactics and to get them right each day of tournament play.”

The hosts feature a side with a mix of experience with Irish internationals Mitch Darling, Stephen West, Joe Brennan, Ross Canning, Peter Blakeney and Jonny Bruton – who scored twice against Olympic champions Germany earlier this week – augmented by South African capped Jody Hosking.

The extended squad also features several Irish underage internationals, including 17-year-old Daragh Walsh who played in the Under-21 Europeans last summer.

And Haughton says the blend is working well together to make a big impact in what is Three Rock’s first European outdoor appearance since 2009 when they reached the KO16 of the EuroHockey League.

“All the players are eager at this stage to start the opening game vs the Ukrainians. Our build-up has included some tough sessions that have been setup to replicate the tight turnover schedule of four games in as many days.

“I am confident and very much looking forward to showing what we can do and hope that we can leave a lasting impression in the history of this tournament.”

In total, the tournament sees 16 matches over four days of action. In addition to the intense series of matches, the club will have a number of side events with Under-14 teams from Scotland and around Dublin playing a round-robin series at Grange Road.

Food and music will be on in the clubhouse with the tournament ending with a hog-roast on Monday evening after the medals ceremony. Entry is free for Under-18s while adult tickets begin from €5.

For further details click here.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Pembroke Wanderers Compete in Club Champions Trophy in Minsk 



Pembroke Wanderers Ladies 1st team will be competing in the the EuroHockey Club Champions Trophy from Thursday 21st May - Sunday 24th May 2015. They will be competing against teams from all over Europe and are placed in Pool B with Atasport (AZE), MSC Sumchanka (UKR) and Royal Wellington T.H.C. (BEL). The teams progress and all tournament information can be found here.

Irish Hockey Association media release

Putting in the miles

Sarah Juggins


Abigail Raye and Scott Tupper (Canada)   

Abigail Raye is a well-travelled hockey player. She was born in England but when she was 13 years old her parents moved to Canada and Abi gained Canadian citizenship. She first represented her country in 2009 against Ireland, and has played in two Commonwealth Games since that debut.

The tall defender is now an integral part of the national team and has been instrumental in helping her team get to the Hockey World League Semi-Finals in Valencia in June. She is one of a number of Canadians and other players from the continent who have taken the decision to leave family and friends behind for a few months each year to play club hockey, on a professional basis, for one of the powerhouse clubs in Europe, in Abi’s case Royal Wellington in Belgium.

Scott Tupper has more than 200 caps for Canada and was part of the Pan-American winning teams of 2007 and 2009. His European experience includes winning a German Championship gold medal with Der Club an der Alster. He now plays for Royal Racing Club Brussels, one of the top Belgium sides.

He explains what drove him across the Atlantic. “I first came to Europe to play in 2009. At the time I felt that it was the best thing for me to further myself as a player, by challenging myself against some of the best players in the world on a more regular basis. Training and playing with and against World Cup and Olympic medalists every week was a great way to grow as a player and bring back that learning to the Canadian team.

“It has given me a lot more experience playing in pressure situations. At home in Canada we don't have a prominent club league, so it's tough to get quality match experience outside of the national team. Being able to play important matches every weekend with the pressure to perform has been hugely beneficial. I also think that as a foreigner, you're under a little bit more pressure to perform, in that you have to justify your position every week.”

Raye’s motives for moving are similar. She says: “I made the decision to play hockey in Europe because I felt that it was the next step in my hockey career. I joined the Canadian Team at age 17 in 2008, so have been training here in Canada for seven years now. I wanted to be exposed to more hockey, and I knew that the European club system offered competitive, high quality hockey. Ian Rutledge, my coach, also gave his blessing, for which I’m grateful.”

So what does the European club scene offer to a player such as Abi and Scott? “It is really the ability to play high level games every weekend, which has really added to my confidence and composure on the ball,” Abi says. “Playing in Europe has helped me improve my game sense, from everything to positioning and ball control. Game play is the best form of practice.”

This is a point that Tupper agrees with: “By being exposed to different ideas and views on the game I can offer options on what we're doing as a national team and what ways we might be able to improve.”

This experience really paid off in the recent Hockey World League Round Two event, where Canada qualified for the HWL Semi Finals after finishing second to Russia. It was in many ways due to the experience of Tupper and fellow Europhile Mark Pearson that Canada battled through to second place and one step closer to Olympic qualification. “I think it’s knowing that it’s not won or lost in the first 10 minutes,” explains Tupper. “As we play big games, we have to recognize bad things are going to happen. We’re going to get scored on and we’re going to have peaks and troughs. It’s just about learning how to manage the valleys and manage your emotions through the peaks as well.”

Returning to Raye, the 23-year-old would like to see more of her teammates take the plunge and play hockey in Europe. “I think that my positive feedback about my experience may encourage some of my teammates to seek out a similar opportunity. They certainly know I’m a big fan of playing in Europe, and of playing in Belgium in particular. When I look back at the last season there was this moment when the team hit a real winning streak. It wasn’t just the winning though, it was the fact that we started playing with an incredible rhythm and we felt truly unstoppable. It’s hard to describe in words, but I’m sure that most players of team sports will recognize the feeling.”

Both Raye and Tupper admit to some teething problems: “For me the main challenge revolved around language issues,” says Raye. “During pre-season all the coaching and discussion was in French and that was far beyond my high school French. I’m not even sure my “bonjour” really cut it. Needless to say there is a universal language to hockey so, with the help of my new multi-lingual teammates I managed to just about keep up. On the flipside, my lack of language skill helped me get to know a lot of my teammates as I kept asking them to translate for me.”

For anyone considering exploring another culture, Tupper has this to say: “You grow as a person when you take yourself out of your comfort zone and move overseas to play, and you gain a really valuable life experience. Being exposed to new languages and different cultures is a huge benefit to playing abroad. Furthermore, it's a great way to make friends around the world. I've been lucky to make great friends playing abroad, and have some incredible experiences. And of course, the social side of hockey that's so prevalent in countries like Belgium, Holland or Germany is something that we don't have at home.... A big post-game party at a hockey club is surely a benefit?”

For Raye, the cultural and social benefits are matched by the culinary delights. “I got to explore Brussels and learn a little about Belgian culture….. if I’m absolutely honest a lot of this revolved around waffles, chocolate and beer – although not all at once.”

Talking about the challenges faced by Canadian team moving towards both the Pan-American Games and the earlier Hockey World League Semi Finals in Valencia, Raye says: “We are in a good place heading into the next few months. We took a lot of confidence out of our performance at World League Round Two in Dublin. After two years with our coach Ian Rutledge, we’ve nailed down our playing style and structure, so our preparation for Valencia is just about making some small adjustments. The squad has been training hard here in Vancouver and I think we’ll have the ability to surprise some teams in Valencia. As for the Pan Am Games in July, playing top quality opponents at the World League Semi Finals will be great preparation for us. We’ve had a busy year of hockey and we’re taking extra steps to accelerate our growth and improve ourselves every game.”

Tupper was unable to play in Canada’s recent foray into Asia for the Azlan Shah Cup because of club duties, but he says getting match experience against top ranked nations will have been a real bonus for the squad. The team will really get down to serious training in May, when they will “nail down tactics, set plays and strategy.”

“Unfortunately, since we're isolated geographically from most nations, we don't have any more matches leading up, but we'll make the most of our time in Vancouver - training four-five times per week plus physiology work, and then having a training camp in Toronto immediately before leaving for Argentina.”

Like Raye, Tupper expects Canada to surprise some teams in both Buenos Aires and Toronto. “It took a couple years after some major retirements for younger players to get comfortable playing international hockey, but there is more experience in the squad now. That, coupled with a different coaching philosophy that the players have really bought in to, has seen us improve over where we were maybe three years ago.”

Pan American Hockey Federation media release

Women’s National Team roster named for World League Semi-Finals

Canada opens tournament against China on June 10th

Shaheed Devji

The Canadian Women’s Field Hockey Team has announced the roster of players that will compete for 2016 Olympic qualification at the World League Semi-Finals in Valencia, Spain from June 10th-21st, 2015.

Of the eighteen athletes named to the touring roster, sixteen were a part of the Women’s National Team that finished second to host Ireland at World League Round 2 in Dublin in March.

The World League Semi-Final is an Olympic qualifying event from which the top three finishers of ten teams earn spots at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With its appearance in the final and the second place finish at World League 2, Canada assured itself two opportunities to qualify for the 2016 Olympics; the first being a top three finish at the Semi-Finals, the second by winning the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto this summer.

In Valencia in June, Canada is grouped with host Spain, as well as Argentina, China, and Great Britain in Pool A. Pool B consists of Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Uruguay, and the United States.

Canada’s first match at the World League Semi-Finals is on June 10th against China at 5:00pm local time. Canada’s full schedule and results are available at the Field Hockey Canada website.

The Women’s National Team plays four test matches against Ireland from May 23rd-27th at the new Pan Am Fields at the University of Toronto, site of the 2015 Pan American Games, before heading to Spain for World League.

Women’s National Team Touring Roster – World League Semi-Finals

Women’s National Team Touring Staff – World League Semi-Finals 

Head Coach – Ian Rutledge

Assistant Coach – Stephanie Andrews

Team Manager – Carrie Trumpy

Video Analyst – Stefanie Sloboda

Athletic Therapist – Amanda Halls

Field Hockey Canada media release

Mom's demise will only spur Haziq on in World Hockey League

By Aftar Singh



KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey forward Haziq Samsul has lost his No. 1 fan. His mother, Nor Safwah Abdul Wahab, died at the age of 43 on Thursday.

She was admitted at the Slim River Hospital for a month with chest infection and passed away at 1am.

And the 21-year-old Perak-born player is devastated.

Just four months ago, he was on cloud nine after making his international debut in the World Hockey League Second Round in Singapore.

“I can’t believe I’ve lost my mother. She was the one who encouraged me to take up hockey when I was in primary school,” said Haziq, who is eldest among three siblings.

“It’s a sad moment for my two younger brothers as well ... they’re still schooling. One is in Form Four and the other in Standard Six.

“My mum was happy when I featured in the Junior World Cup in New Delhi in 2013 (where Malaysia finished a creditable fourth).

“She praised me when I made my international debut with the national senior team in the World League Round Two in January.”

The loss of his mother has only strengthened his resolve to do well in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in Antwerp, Belgium, from June 20-July 5.

“I will continue playing for the country in honour of my mother,” said Haziq, who will take a few days’ break before rejoining the squad next Wednesday.

National team manager Stephen van Huizen offered his condolences to Haziq, who has 20 caps to his name.

“The national players too are sad for Haziq ... we’ll contact Haziq in one or two days,” said Stephen.

There are 25 players in the training squad and the final 18 will be named on June 10. The team will leave for Belgium on June 15.

Ten teams will feature in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals, with Malaysia drawn in Group B with Belgium, Britain, Ireland and China. Group A comprises Australia, India, Pakistan, Poland and France.

Only the top three teams will qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The Star of Malaysia

McAleese backing Kiwis to perform in Argentina



Black Sticks stalwart Shea McAleese is confident his side can put together a strong performance at the World League Semi-Final in Argentina.

The Kiwis depart for Buenos Aires on Monday where they will compete among 10 sides for a spot in the World League Final from 4-15 June.

Adding to the stakes in an opportunity for New Zealand to gain automatic qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics if they can pull off a top three placing.

McAleese (214 caps) joins a hugely experienced core of players including Phil Burrows (336), Ryan Archibald (284) and Simon Child (230) who among them have played more than 1000 tests.

The 30-year-old said experience will play a huge part when it comes to the high pressure situations in Argentina.

“Experience speaks for itself at big events. Guys like Ryan and Phil are eyeing their fourth Olympics so they’ve been through the ins and outs of what it takes to qualify,” he said.

“A major thing our coaching staff have added over the past few years is scouting. The way we look at opponents and how we can break them down has improved immensely and we’re hugely well prepared.”

Despite injuries to several key players, head coach Colin Batch has still been able to put together a very strong side thanks to the depth that has been built within the squad.

McAleese said the fact that there are high class hockey players waiting in the wings is a testament to the work of the coaching staff over the past few years.

That depth has led to a slight positional shift for several players with McAleese pushing back into defence while Phil Burrows and Steve Edwards move up to striker.

“I think we have selected our best 18 players and are leaving a few guys behind who are quality players and that’s a credit to Colin and Bryce and the depth they’ve created.

“This is the most nervous I’ve been in the last five years or so in actually making the team and that’s a really healthy environment to have.

“I’ve played in defence for various clubs so it’s nothing new to me. It will just mean tweaking my game at an international level and it helps that I’ve got some really good players around me at the back in Blair Tarrant and Nick Haig.”

The Black Sticks are joined in Pool A at the tournament by Netherlands, Korea, Japan and Egypt while Pool B consists of Germany, Argentina, Spain, Canada and Austria.

The World League format sees the Kiwis play four pool games ahead of a crucial sudden-death quarter final against a Pool B opponent.

Any one of those opponents offers an intriguing match-up for McAleese, who has played alongside players from several countries during his season in the Dutch league with club HGC.

Argentinian drag flicker Gonzalo Peillat, who scored a hat-trick against the Black Sticks at last year’s World Cup, is one of those players who he’s been able to scout first hand.

“Gonzo plays for my HGC team – he’s a really great drag flicker and scored an amazing 27 goals in the Dutch league. I know his key areas and I’ve been telling him that for a little while now.”

New Zealand face Egypt first up at the tournament on Thursday 4 June at 5am (NZ time).

CLICK HERE for more on the World League Semi-Final

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Future Black Sticks named for Invitational Tournament



The Future Black Sticks Men and Women have been named to compete at the Volvo Invitational Tournament in Breda, Netherlands.

The tournament pits some of the world’s best under 21 age group players against each other from 18-25 July.

Following the recent Hockey New Zealand National Under 21 Tournament, head coaches Sean Dancer (Women) and Bryce Collins (Men) have both confirmed teams of 18 players.

The women’s team is strengthened by the inclusion of five National Development Squad players in Stephanie Dickins, Maddie Dowe, Tessa Jopp, Su Arn Kwek and Danielle Sutherland.

Dancer said the team has been selected with an eye towards next year’s Junior World Cup but also taking into account the bigger picture to develop players into Black Sticks.

“Players in this team have earned selection from their form at the Under 21 Tournament and this is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain top level international experience,” he said.

“It’s a good quality side and we will play with the same mentality as the Black Sticks which is strong and aggressive attacking hockey.”

The Future Black Sticks Women will go up against England, Netherlands, Germany, India and China during round robin play at the tournament.

Meanwhile, the men’s team is a strong mix of experience and youth led by Development Squad member Richard Joyce and Leo Mitai-Wells.

Three over-aged players are permitted at the men’s tournament with Joyce joined by Sanjay Lala and Mick Lammers.

The men play six round robin games at the tournament against Pakistan, India, Belgium, Germany, England and Netherlands.

“We have an exciting bunch of high quality players in this team and 12 of the 18 will still be eligible to play at the Junior World Cup at the end of 2016,” Collins said.

“This tour is really the first step of our Junior World Cup preparation and the next few years are certainly looking positive with the ultimate target for these players to move on to playing for the Black Sticks one day.”

Wider men’s and women’s training squads for the Junior World Cup will be released early next week.

FUTURE BLACK STICKS MEN

European Tour Team

FUTURE BLACK STICKS WOMEN

European Tour Team

Hockey New Zealand Media release

Luypaert going back to his roots



Loïck Luypaert became one of a huge number of Belgian players returning to their domestic league as he confirmed he will move from SV Kampong to Braxgata.

It was anticipated that he would possibly move back to Dragons where he played before moving to the Netherlands last term.

But he is looking forward to playing with Braxgata, the club where he grew up, on a three year contract.

Speaking about the move, he said: “It’s the club where I began my hockey at the age of four. It meant I thought long and hard about whether I would play with Braxgata or Dragons. I also had offers from Brussels but I wanted to be in Antwerp, near to my family.

“It will be a big challenge at Boom but we want to make the playoffs next season.”

Shea McAleese is another to have returned to Brax, switching from HGC, while Club de Campo’s Gonzalo Lasso will also play their next term.

Euro Hockey League media release

Kellerman switches to Kampong from Rotterdam

The Dutch transfer market is in full effect with indoor World Cup gold medallist Bjorn Kellerman set to move from Rotterdam to Kampong for the 2015/15 season.

He moves to the Utrecht club who have been looking to replace the likes of Loïck Luypaert who has returned to his former club Braxgata in Belgium while Thierry Brinkman is bound for  Bloemendaal.

Indeed, Bloemendaal have also added 31-year-old former Australian international Russell Ford from Tilburg to their roster.

Rotterdam have attracted Swedish forward Johan Björkman who moves from Harvestehuder after a superb spell in Germany, winning both the indoor and outdoor league as well as the EHL and the indoor European Cup.

They have also brought in Simon Egerton from Bowdon in England having previously had a successful spell with HGC.

Euro Hockey League media release

Hockey warm-up areas get $25,000 turf


Ready to use the new warm-up turfs at Aorangi Park are, from left, Janelle Amalfitano, Jessica Brown, Amelie Lewis with Fulton Hogan's Richard Boult, Aoraki Foundation's Stacey Scott and youth president of Hockey South Canterbury Susan Coker. Mytchall Bransgrove/Fairfax NZ

Bare concrete warm-up areas around Timaru's hockey pitches have been turfed after a push for an upgrade by the youth committee of Hockey South Canterbury, New Zealand

The warm-up areas alongside the main turf near the entrance to Aorangi Park were laid on Thursday afternoon, and the areas around the former sand-based turf will be laid soon.

The cost of the upgrade is roughly $25,000, made possibly by a $10,000 donation from Fulton Hogan through the Aoraki Foundation as well as $7000 each from the Lion Foundation and Pub Charities.

The warm-up areas will be particularly useful when South Canterbury hosts this year's Hatch Cup primary school hockey tournament.

In past tournament South Canterbury has received A grades from participants for most of its facilities but always failed when it came to warm-up areas.

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