Families feature of provincial side
FOUR families, eight players, two managers and one coach.
The Otago hockey community does not just have a family vibe — they are family.
The Ward clan has made the biggest contribution. Jordan, Finn and Patrick all play for the Otago men’s team, and dad Blair is the manager.
The Buschls are pretty committed as well. Brothers Malachi and Ezekiel have helped Otago build an unbeaten record during the first three days of the National Hockey Championship being held in
Dunedin this week.
Their sister Tessa plays for the Otago women’s side.
Dave Ross is still gently telling Nick Ross what to do. The fatherandson combination is a key cog in the Otago men’s team.
Dave is the coach and Nick is the star player. Together they have oodles of experience.
And finally there are the Nicolsons. Mum Debbie is the manager of the Otago women’s team and James is a striker for the men’s side. He has banged in three goals in three games, so he is still on his mum’s Christmas card list.
With so many family members involved, you might expect a fair bit of bickering, some buttons pushed and perhaps even a fight to the death over the last slice of bread.
Not so says Finn Ward.
The bruises he sustained growing up playing against his brothers in the backyard have healed.
Rivalry has given way to cooperation.
‘‘We are still putting presents in each other’s stockings,’’ Finn joked.
Malachi’s younger brother Ezekiel is a half a head taller, not that it bothers Malachi . . . much.
‘‘Little brother, mate. Little brother. Easily confused,’’ Malachi corrected.
‘‘He always gives me a bit of [grief] about that.
‘‘But we played all the way through high school together . . . and we get on pretty well. He tends to pass me the ball a fair bit, so I’m not complaining about that.’’
Dave Ross is not complaining about that either. Those family connections helped his side dig its way out of trouble against Canterbury and North Harbour.
Otago could be just one win away from locking in an appearance in Saturday’s final.