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Vantage Black Sticks victorious for the 2nd year in a row!

Congratulations to the Vantage Black Stick women who have beaten Japan 3-0 in a great final match of the 2017 Vantage Festival of Hockey.

It was a repeat of the 2016 final where the Black Sticks came up against Japan winning 3-2.

Bay backing the Black Sticks

HAWKE’S BAY SUPPORT FOR THE BLACK STICKS

Hawke’s Bay is backing the Black Sticks Women’s and Men’s hockey teams during their “quest to be the best” as they prepare for the Rio Olympic games.

The sponsorship deal is being led by locals Rod Miller and Bruce Mactaggart of the Hawke’s Bay Sports Events and Education Consortium, which is formed by a group of business and community leaders who are committed to strengthening the region’s principal partnership with the Black Sticks.

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Michelsen nominated for World Player of the Year!

Black Sticks livewire Stacey Michelsen is one of five players shortlisted by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for Women’s Player of the Year.

The news came as the FIH announced nominees for the 2016 Hockey Stars Awards, the annual prizes which recognise the world’s best field players, goalkeepers, rising stars, coaches and umpires in a given calendar year.

Five male and five female nominees have been selected for each award with the Player, Goalkeeper and Rising Star awards selected by a panel consisting of the FIH Athletes’ Committee, Continental Federations, Coaches and media.

All awards are based on performance at international events during the 2016 season, as well as the player’s overall contribution to the sport.

Michelsen, who has played 216 tests for New Zealand, had a stunning year at events such as the Hawke’s Bay Cup and Rio Olympic Games.

“It is a huge honour to be nominated, particularly alongside the other nominees who I have a great amount of respect for as players,” Michelsen said.

“It’s been a very tough year with the disappointment of not achieving what we set out to in Rio, but it has certainly motivated many of us to be better in the coming years.

“I am very much looking forward to the chance to play in the Word League tournaments in 2017, especially the final which will be hosted in Auckland.

“It provides Hockey New Zealand a great opportunity to showcase the sport and will also be very nice to play a major tournament in front of a home crowd, something we haven’t had the chance of doing as a group.”

Award winners will be decided by the combined results of an online vote that is open to the public and a peer vote from international athletes.

Voting for all awards will open later this week with more details to come.

2016 WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Stacey Michelsen (NZL)
Carla Rebecchi (ARG)
Kate Richardson-Walsh (GBR)
Alex Danson (GBR)
Naomi van As (NED)

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Officials enjoy local Hawke’s Bay Wine

No tournament would be possible without Officials. 16 Officials from all around the world came out to Hawke’s Bay to help make the Festival of Hockey a success!

All the officials were treated to a behind the scenes tour and wine tasting with owner, founder and winemaker Tim Turvey at Clearview Estate.

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WINNERS OF THE INNOVATION IN SPORT & RECREATION AWARD!

HBSEEC’s Festival of Hockey won the Westpac Innovation in Sport and Recreation award at the annual Hawke’s Bay Sports awards held on Saturday night! An award that wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support from all of the HBSEEC members and wider Hawke’s Bay community.

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Live Streaming confirmed from Thursday onwards!

Live streaming will be available from Thursday 6th April onwards via our Facebook account!
The live steam will include six matches from the International Vantage Hawke’s Bay Cup competition (including finals),
14 matches from the schoolgirls Furnware Cup (including semifinals and finals) and the finals from the men’s and women’s competition at the Affiliates tournament.

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Special award – 4 years running!

Every year since the Festival has been running the Robyn Mactaggart medal has been awarded to the best and fairest player of the Hawke’s Bay Cup. Each game 3 judges vote the top 3 players of that game, with points accumulated.At the end of the week the player with the most points wins the special medal.

The late Robyn Mactaggart is an incredible lady who inspired many with her love and passion for the sport who was involved as a player, parent, coach and supporter.

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Te Mata School welcomes U.S.A to the Bay!

Te Mata School, Havelock North put on an impressive performance and welcoming in their school assembly for the U.S.A Women’s hockey team.

Thanks for all your support Te Mata school and we hope you enjoyed the Vantage Festival of Hockey

The U.S.A girls love the kids welcome and their time here in Hawke’s Bay!

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Vittese wins special award!

Congratulations to Michelle Vittese has won the 2017 Robyn Mactaggart medal for the best and fairest player of the Hawke’s Bay Cup!

This is the 4th year running and is awarded in memory of the late Robyn Mactaggart who is an inspiring lady who gave a lot to hockey as a player, coach, parent, and supporter.