Gribble into the beach - takes charge of the Northland men's NHL team

Hikurangi's Vicki Gribble has come to the rescue, offering to coach the Northland men's side seven weeks out from the National Hockey League tournament.
"We've had some difficulties finding a coach and with only seven weeks left before the tournament, someone had to be appointed," she said.
"If it goes down right to the wire then I will be there ... I'm happy to be involved."
The Hikurangi senior women's coach was originally set to assist Northland women's coach Grant McLeod this year with their NHL campaign, but after several potential men's coaches were approached and each one said they were unable to fill the position, Gribble said she would take the men until someone was found.
While Gribble has coached Northland women on and off for the past 10 or so years, this is her first time  she has taken on the men, she said. "The game is the same - just bigger, faster, quicker," she said.
"As far as coaching [men] goes, there's not a lot of difference.
"I'm just fortunate to have a lot of support from a few injured guys at the moment who have stepped in to give me a hand."
The men's team is yet to be confirmed - Gribble has until August 10 to name the first 12, and a fortnight later can name  six further players.
"There's a core group of players from Whangarei and then we may look at getting guest players from Auckland and North Harbour and even Australia ... there are simply not the numbers up here.
"The thing with guest players is that we need to guarantee they are better than local players before we get them - and that they are worth paying their airfares over," she said.
Up to six guest players can be recruited and Gribble said Northland would more than likely use the maximum number.
Men drift away from the game at senior level due to a variety of factors, but the group left here  is very committed, Gribble said.
"A core group of guys here  is keen - and  the biggest attribute has to be attitude."
With only seven weeks before Northland's first NHL match against North Harbour at Whangarei, Gribble said the men's build up would be short but very intense.
"We have three pre-NHL games with the first on August 2 ... then a mini-tournament at North Harbour on September 5 and 6 against Auckland and Midlands.
"We are trying to get another two games. - it will have to be a sufficient build up."
Over the last three years, many Northland teams have struggled to find coaches, Gribble said.
"We need to look for future coaches in the age-groups and bring them through so they can coach our senior sides," she said.
Northland play North Harbour on September 12 at Whangarei in their first NHL  game before travelling to Christchurch a week later for seven days of matches.