Beach hockey: Battle to make mark in sand

Action from last year's national beach hockey championships held at Mount Main beach. Photo / File

The third national beach hockey championships will take centre stage on the sands of Mount Maunganui's Main Beach tomorrow.

The format has been shortened to a one-day event, leading to an increase in the number of registered mixed teams up to 11 this year.

"It has had a positive effect ... with five more teams than the same time last year," said organiser Kate Savory.

"We have a number of teams returning which is testament to how much the participants enjoy it. Teams are from Tauranga, Auckland and Hamilton. On Sunday we are having a family have-a-go competition day. We want people to come along and talk to us on Saturday so we can give them a chance to play on Sunday."

Members of the Black Sticks men's side will attend, including James Coughlin and some of the Western Bay's best young talent in Midlands reps Hamish McGeorge, Joe Lyons and John Preece.

The action will be fast and furious with 25 to 30 games running every 15 minutes between 10am and the grand final set down for 6pm.

The winning team will win a giant jandal.

"We have over $2000 in prizes donated by local Mount Maunganui stores," said Savory.

What is it?

*Beach hockey is a five-a-side game played inside an inflatable blow-up surround.
*Players use smaller sticks and the ball is a smaller version of a football, allowing for much more aerial play and juggling.
*The game can be played by people of all ages and levels, with no experience or equipment needed.