Pamapuria School packs secret weapons

SOLID STICKS: Pamapuria School from Kaitaia left a big impression on organisers of the annual AIMS Games tournament in Tauranga earlier this month. Photograph supplied

If Hockey New Zealand ever needed proof their investment in the six-a-side version of the game was paying off, Kaitaia's Pamapuria School eagerly provided it.

The abbreviated version of hockey was included in the recent NZCT AIMS Games for the first time, with 16 mixed teams from around New Zealand competing in the intermediate age grade tournament which attracted 7,500 athletes from 17 sporting codes. Full 11-aside hockey was played as well, attracting 20 boys' and 24 girls' teams.

Research has shown that the 6-aside format in hockey provides a much better learning and development experience for younger players, enabling them to move into the full 11-aside game better equipped, and Hockey New Zealand has already started aligning that in their programmes. When Pamapuria School located 8km south of Kaitaia and established in 1879, began the eight-hour trip south to Tauranga for the tournament, there was a slight hitch however: none of the 10-strong squad had ever played on turf before.

However, after fundraising to go on the week-long trip, they packed a couple of secret weapons: new Pamapuria principal Rikki Horlock is married to double Olympian and former Black Sticks star, Lizzy Igasan, while the team itself was full of both enthusiasm and pluck.

"We have a small class of 18 Year 7 and 8 kids in a full primary school and we didn't have enough to make both a netball team and rugby sevens team so the kids decided on hockey to allow as many of them to play as possible," Pamapuria teacher Cheryl Bamber explained. "We also took indoor bowls players and three multisporters who doubled as hockey players as well, basically we [school] were trying to provide this opportunity for our kids to participate in any way, shape or form."

The lack of turf experience was solved en route, as were a couple of other pressing issues.

"All the gear came second-hand from Lizzy's contacts and mates and we only managed to secure the goalkeeper's kit in Auckland on the Saturday as we travelled down. We also called into North Harbour Hockey on the way down and used the sand turf for 30 minutes which exhausted the kids. They weren't used to full-size turf and couldn't believe how fast the ball moved. Hardly surprising as they had only played on the grass field and our netball courts!"

Also not surprisingly, given their limited build-up, Pamapuria struggled for results and lost a tight playoff to Otumoetai Intermediate in the battle of the wooden spoon. Elsewhere Aquinas College won a thrilling final 2-1 over Bucklands Beach in the closing minutes, after Bucklands Beach had won their semifinal 4-3 on penalty strokes over Albany Junior High, who in turn lost 2-1 on penalty strokes to Fairfield in the playoff for third and fourth, noted tournament director Vicki Semple.

"There were some amazing matches in the six-a-side division over the week but more importantly, it allowed some of our smaller schools to participate in hockey for the first time," Semple remarked. "In the past, getting a full squad of 14 players for the 11-a-side section proved too much for some of our smaller schools but this format meant we got to see the likes of Omokoroa No 1 School, Pongakawa and Pamapuria School take part.

"Pamapuria's story really is incredible - they really added to the flavour of the tournament and this sort of thing is exactly why we started the NZCT AIMS Games concept 11 years ago."

Pamapuria's story seemed to appeal to the teams around them as well, said Bamber.

"They didn't win any games all week but they accumulated a fan base as schools slowly started supporting them on the sideline, once coaches and managers told their players our story. This really gave them a big boost and they handled defeat fantastically. Their skill level most definitely improved and I cracked up on the way home when we drove past a turf and they wanted me to stop for a quick game!

"Did they love their week long experience? Absolutely! Would they go through it all again? You bet! They have spoken about remembering this trip for a very long time and every single one of them turned up for school on Monday and guess what they played in the break? Yep - you know it - hockey!"

On behalf of the children in the schools AIMS Games team, Bamber thanked the parents and whanau for their support, and noted Lizzy was regarded by her proteges as the best coach in the world, "for believing in them [the players] and giving them an opportunity to experience such an amazing event.

"Perhaps we could also look at incorporating a turf into the new community sports hub they are developing. Especially now as we have such a valuable asset in Lizzy Horlock to train, coach, advise and network with contacts all around the country."

Story by Jamie Troughton, NZCT Aims Games media who noted it was an "amazing effort from the Pamapuria School crew and we were stoked to have them down here!"