Former Black Stick and current Maungakaramea striker Anna Alexander will look to be as deadly in front of goal as she has done in past seasons. Photo / File
Former Black Stick and current Maungakaramea striker Anna Alexander will look to be as deadly in front of goal as she has done in past seasons. Photo / File
With Northland's premier hockey season kicking off tomorrow, the Northern Advocate has compiled a handy guide to both the men's and women's premier hockey competitions.
Below you will find analysis of the premier women's competition with statistics from last year's season and comments from coaches looking at what they want to achieve and the players to watch out for. The men's competition will be profiled tomorrow. (Note: All teams played three byes)
After qualifying third in the regular season, finishing top of the pile would have been a fantastic result for a strong Maungakaramea side. The team managed to overcome a talented Old Girls side in a tight final which coach Tama Jones put down to the experience of his older players.
"In those sort of games it was the experienced players that stood up, Anna Alexander [a former Black Stick] scoring goals certainly makes a difference," he said.
Jones said it was unquestionable that the team was aiming for back-to-back competition wins, but felt the introduction of some new players would mean the side would go into the 2019 season with a fresh eyes.
A crucial member in the middle of the park for Maungakaramea, Jones said Thomsen's presence on and off the field will be a key factor this season.
"Jane just puts her hands up to do anything, she's there to support the players and she's always that person who's engaged and focused on what we want to achieve," he said.
Emerging talent: Emily Luxford (Striker)
Luxford, a product of Pompallier Catholic College, could be in store for a big season, according to coach Jones. He said the young striker would learn quickly under Anna Alexander's tutelage.
"From my side of things, [Luxford] is very coachable, you can say things and she asks questions, goes away and tries to put them into practice which is great to see."
The bitterly-close defeat to Maungakaramea was fresh in the mind of coach Josefina Maratea a week out from round one of the competition. Maratea, who had been playing for the last four years, said losing a lead in the final was tough to take.
"It was hard for us because we hate losing and we haven't won the competition for about two years now, so it was hard to lose the final in such a tough game," she said.
She said this season's challenge would be integrating a number of new, young players into the team but was confident the hard work at trainings would pay off.
Leading figure: Nicola McDonnell (Striker)
After a stint playing in Auckland, Nicola McDonnell was now back in Northland and Maratea said the striker's knowledge and communication skills would make her a strong leader.
"Just to have Nicola back is going to be a big step for us, she's very fast, she's very fierce and she will go for it 100 per cent."
One of the youngest players in the premier competition, Maratea believed Kate Roberts would be an important player to the Old Girls premier team set-up.
"After the first training when we saw here, we knew she'd be really good, we were really impressed by her," Maratea said.
"Every time I see something new in her which is really good, she just absorbs everything and her speed and understanding of the game is amazing."
Old Girls player Laura Douglas will add her wealth of experience playing for the Black Sticks to her side's 2019 campaign. Photo / File
Springfield's new season will have a touch of the past with former premier coach Angeline Waetford back in the top job after about a five-year absence. Waetford said her side, which contained a number of young players, was ready to press their cause in 2019.
"I'm a old-school coach in that I plan to win and I know you don't always win but that's certainly what I set out do to," she said.
"I'm sure the senior players would be looking to win competitions so it's really more of an unspoken goal we have."
Leading figure: Alana Laybourn (Defender/Midfielder)
A former Black Stick who attended the 2012 Olympic Games, Alana Laybourn was a player/coach in 2018 but Waetford said the experienced campaigner would relish not occupying both roles.
"[Laybourn] would be in the top three players in our association because she's just very strong, she knows the game and is still a key player for our team and for Northland."
Formerly of North Harbour, Jessica Polo's fitness on the field had already caught the eye of Waetford, who said the midfielder would be a real asset to the team.
"[Polo] has got really good, tight skills and she understands the game and that's a big thing for me, knowing where you need to be and what the opposition is trying to achieve," she said.
Whangārei Girls' High School 1st Xl
Coaches: David Adams, Alan Moscrip Manager: Cara Lindsay
The team from WGHS hit good form last year, making the quarterfinals of the national secondary schools hockey tournament, but they couldn't replicate that form in the club competition.
After scraping past Hikurangi and losing in the semifinals, coach David Adams was aiming for a more attacking season in 2019.
"I felt like we didn't fire in too many shots in that semifinal so we'll be looking to improve on that and give ourselves a chance," he said.
Leading figure: Alysha Donovan (Midfielder)
Despite not wanting to single out players, Adams saw Year 12 student Alysha Donovan as a possible leader this season.
"[Donovan] has got a pretty deep desire to win, she's very competitive and she's got an extremely high work rate as one of the fittest in the team."
Fresh out of under-15s hockey last year, Emma Illerbrun was one of many young players who Adams thought could be in for a big season in 2019.
"[Illerbrun] is a genuine goal-scorer, she was one of the top five goal scorers in the national under-15 tournament last year so hopefully she can knock a few in for us," Adams said.
Claudia King will feature in a refreshed and replenished Hikurangi squad this season. Photo / File
Coming away with zero wins is never the goal of any sports team but coach Roland Price said crippling issues relating to a lack of player numbers would be a thing of the past.
"We certainly improved over last season and the squad has all come back and they are keen to play with a positive attitude so I think we will give some teams a fright this year."
Leading figure: Courtney Phillips (Defender)
Unavailable last year due to back injuries, former national hockey league player Courtney Phillips was ready to go in 2019 according to Price, who hoped she would make a big impact.
"[Phillips] has just got that experience, she's been around for a while and is one of our leading, experienced players on the pitch with a cool, calm head," he said.
Also a talented touch player, Kyra Manahi received special dispensation to play last year and Price said his young striker was set for a big season this year.
"[Manahi] certainly knows where the goal is and she's got the skills and the speed to go with it, so I'm quite looking forward to seeing how she goes this year."
