Black Sticks coming to new turf
The Black Sticks will play a double-header on the new $2m Waimakariri Hockey Turf in Rangiora next month. In a major coup for the freshly opened water turf facility, the Black Sticks will meet the United States in back-toback tests over consecutive days in Rangiora on March 25 and 26, starting at 3pm both days.
The matches will also serve as the first time a New Zealand senior international team of any sport has played in North Canterbury. The Black Sticks Women, ranked fifth in the world, are fresh off their test series against Argentina in Buenos Aires and will use these games against USA, ranked sixth, as valuable preparation for the Vantage Hawke’s Bay Cup the following weekend.
New Zealand Hockey reached an agreement with Waimakariri District Council to host the tests in Rangiora on Thursday as part of its commitment to spread the game throughout the country.
Canterbury Hockey chief executive, Rod Templeton, is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring top international hockey to the region.
‘‘We are excited to showcase our Black Sticks women against the highly ranked USA team in Canterbury.
‘‘To be able to take the test matches to the Waimakariri Dis- trict and its brand new turf is fantastic, and only made possible because of the great support from the council, our local clubs and the North Canterbury Sports & Recreation Trust.
‘‘With the tests being the weekend before our winter season starts, coupled with the new turf, we are really building towards a huge 2017 for Canterbury Hockey. Thanks to Hockey New Zealand for their support in making this possible.’’
Waimakariri councillor Robbie Brine, who holds the greenspace portfolio, hailed the decision as a recognition from both the national and Canterbury hockey bodies of the commitment the District had made to developing the game by investing in the new all-weather facility.
‘‘It was a major investment by council, but the selection to host events like this is a reward for that decision,’’ Brine said.
‘‘The large turnout at the facility when it opened last weekend, and the news that we will shortly be hosting international matches, are immediate benefits for the district. Hopefully there will be plenty more.’’
Presale tickets for both tests will go on sale early next week.