The Festival of Hockey director David Nancarrow says the region could play host to a more global home and away hockey league. He chats to mark Story.
What's new and exciting about this year's festival?
Four top class International sides - New Zealand, Australia, USA and Japan - compete including the return of team USA who played here in 2015 and are fast risers in the world rankings. Two traditionally competitive and exciting NZ versus Australia matches in the round robin series are a likely highlight.
The eight-team schoolgirl Furnware Cup has the strongest line-up yet, including new visitors Auckland Diocesan and Palmerston North Girls' High school who will provide a formidable challenge to the four local schools competing.
And get along to watch the very competitive Affiliates tournament again being held at Park Island in Napier which includes the Hawke's Bay Men and Women sides.
How is the turf holding up?
The drainage on the Unison turf is as good as you will find anywhere.
Hockey turfs require water to play on and the Unison Turf has proven that it can cope with substantial amounts of rain, as happened at our first event in 2014, without disruption to the event.