TigerTurf Wet Hockey at Hawke's Bay

An official opening celebration is planned for Napier's new international grade water turf on 20th July from 6:00 pm.   

The new water turf, which is the International Hockey Federation (FIH) standard, is the second TigerTurf water surface for Hawke's Bay.  

Hawke's Bay Hockey CEO, Jude Rawcliffe explains, "We were anticipating an initial two to three week settling-in period where the TigerTurf water surface would be a bit greasy on top, but it has run really smoothly from day one.  Ball speed is excellent and it is a player-friendly surface, in the sense that it absorbs a lot of impact. Overall, we are pretty wrapt with it.”

TigerTurf Operations Manager Don Crockett says it is typical for players to notice and appreciate these types of benefits of playing on a water surface. 

"The biggest difference players will notice about the water surface is the playing characteristics, better ball control and traction, and the surface is non abrasive and more forgiving on the body.  Generally, it's a better game on the water turf.”

The water turf opening celebrations mark an important milestone in a comprehensive hockey development plan.  She says the new TigerTurf surface is a key component of a long-term strategy to develop the sport of hockey and its players in the Hawke's Bay area, including establishment of the Kelt Capital Hockey Academy, of which Rawcliffe is also CEO.

"What we've established here in a very rapid amount of time is an Academy which is targeted at ensuring that this region has the best facility in terms of the turf and the infrastructure, as well as the best opportunities and coaching support for players of all ages and abilities.”

"This is not just about running an Academy for the top end.  The goal is that every person who is interested in picking up a hockey stick has access to a programme that's at the right level for them, along with facilities that rival anything else in the country.  The sky's the limit for what we can achieve.”

Rawcliffe says the Academy aims to be the best of its kind in hockey. It will serve as a template for other areas and other sports.  In addition, the facilities are intended to generate new income flows that will be put back in to the game and the players.

The Academy boasts top, full-time coaching talent, including Shane McLeod, current Assistant Coach for the Men's Black Sticks and Caryn Paewai, recently retired Black Stick with 100+ caps.  In addition, Rawcliffe herself, who has coached teams at every level, including assistant to the Black Sticks, will take on some coaching duties. 

Says current Men's Black Sticks Coach, Kevin Towns, "Hawke's Bay's new hockey academy will be internationally hard to beat.  No other country in the world including Australia or Holland have anything that approximates the quality and range of programmes at provincial level that this academy offers New Zealand's young players.”

Adds Rawcliffe, "The key thing is to enable each person whether they're a rep player or someone who just has a love for the game to have experiences that will optimise their achievement in and enjoyment of the game - that's for our Hawke's Bay players and also players from throughout New Zealand.”