Festival of Hockey draws world's best players

Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey organiser David Nancarrow is counting down to the 13-day event. Photo / Warren Buckland

Thirteen days, 28 teams and more than 80 games throughout Hawke's Bay.

A second annual Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey runs from April 7 to 19 with games hosted at both the Regional Sports Park in Hastings and Park Island in Napier.

The Hawke's Bay Cup has expanded to include eight top teams: Australia ranked second in the world, Argentina third, New Zealand fourth, China fifth, USA eighth, Korea ninth, Japan 10th and India 13th.

An affiliates section will also celebrate Kiwi hockey diversity with Hawke's Bay men and women's representative teams playing host to leading national sides New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Indian, New Zealand Seniors and New Zealand Universities.

Once again the invitational under-17 secondary school girl's Furnware Cup tournament will be a highlight.

The category expanded to eight teams with the inclusion of Wanganui Collegiate and St Peters, Cambridge, who join returning talent from Gisborne Girls, Havelock North and Taradale High Schools as well as Woodford and Iona College.

Ticket sales were steady with people from throughout the country securing their seats to catch an action-packed event, director David Nancarrow said.

"It's Hawke's Bay and beyond which is really encouraging.

It's eight of the world's top 13 ranked teams, with a ticket you get four games per day so I would say that's extremely good value."

Festival of Hockey will introduce a new award for players participating in the elite Hawke's Bay Cup - the Robyn Mactaggart Medal. It was created in memory of the late Mrs Mactaggart - wife of the event's creator Bruce Mactaggart - who was a passionate supporter of local hockey having coached both school and junior representative teams.

It will be handed to the player judged "best" and "fairest" in the tournament's international division.

"It's a fantastic way to remember Robyn, we just saw the medal last week; the person who wins it is going to have a serious memento."

-Reserved seating and general admission tickets for the festival are available from: hockeyfestival.co.nz