Beach Hockey: Teams revel on sandy stage

Event co-organiser Kate Savory (left) on the ball at the NZ Beach Hockey Championships held at Mount Main Beach at the weekend. Photo / Andrew Warner

The sight of hockey being played on sand under the blistering sun was a surprise to many watching at Mount's Main Beach at the weekend.

But the success of the third NZ Beach Hockey Championships means the event organised by Jason Niles and Kate Savory is likely to become a regular part of the summer sporting scene.

Black Sticks Richard Petherick, Nick Woods and James Coughlin and some of the best local talent, including Junior Black Sticks player Hamish McGeorge, set a high standard as the temperature on the sand ratcheted up.

Niles said it took players about two or three games to get used to playing on the sand as it was a different game.

"While you can use a little bit of skill you actually have to take the time to adjust to the differences on the beach like the change of direction of the ball and stopping," he said.

"But after a while you can see those who have played hockey and those who have not.

"For those who have not played before, it is a good opportunity to hold a stick and get into the sport."

Savory said hockey was becoming more popular in New Zealand and she hoped the event would get people following beach hockey and field hockey.

"We ended up with 11 teams competing and last year we had six so that was great to see," she said. "I was overwhelmed with the support from the local business community.

"They were all happy to help with spot prizes and our main prizes.

"Plus the local hockey community were great helping us set out the field and help this event run smoothly."

McGeorge loved the challenge of taking on a new version of hockey.

"On the turf it is completely different because you play the ball mainly on the ground but at the beach it is all in the air.

"You can't really use your normal tactics.

"You have to make up new things and use more aerial play which is quite fun.

"The popularity has grown since the first year I played which is pretty exciting.

"Even people who don't play hockey are loving it so there's definitely plenty of potential."

McGeorge's team, Hammerheads, finished third, with Je Suis Beach Hockey taking out the title after Saturday's final against fellow locals Muzza Minions.