Tauranga Hockey Centre's world-class facilities at Blake Park will be the venue for an historic three-test series between host the Black Sticks men and Japan in March.
The tests will be played on Tuesday, March 12, Wednesday, March 13 and Saturday, March 15 between the sixth-ranked Black Sticks and 14th-ranked Japanese. It will be the only home series for the Black Sticks in 2014 and Hockey New Zealand's decision to play at Mount Maunganui is a major endorsement for the huge investment in the refurbished playing turfs and upgraded lighting.
In an exclusive launch of the news to the Bay of Plenty Times, Tauranga Hockey's general manager Clyde du Toit says it is exciting news for hockey in the city and surrounding areas.
"It is just absolutely fantastic to have them down here in an official test series. The top 15 teams in the world are fairly close together and on the day anything can happen at international hockey, so it is going to be an exciting opportunity.
'The other aspect that is really important for this three-test series is this is a massive year for hockey in New Zealand because our Black Sticks men and women go to the World Cup in Holland at the end of May, and then they have got Commonwealth Games starting July.