Hockey: Doubts at the top on bigger national league

By TERRY MADDAFORD

National men's coach Kevin Towns is not backing the move from six to eight teams for next year's national hockey league.

Before the halfway point of this year's league, the Hockey Federation's board - apparently following a lead from coaches and players questioned after last year's competition - has agreed to an increase in the men's and women's leagues.

Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel said a comprehensive review was done after last year's national league.

"There was strong support to increase the number of teams to allow Otago into both competitions, Midland into the women and Central [Manawatu-Hawkes Bay-Wanganui-Taranaki] into the men's league," he said.

"There are a couple of conditions - the strength of the teams and financial viability - but there seems no reason the change will not go ahead.

"All teams will be allowed up to six guest players. We expect the weaker teams to make full use of that.

"We plan to play over the same time frame, which we hope will increase the intensity."

Towns has his doubts.

"My feeling is it is wrong to increase the number of teams," he said.

"By their own admission the Northland and Midland men's teams are struggling this year. Yet when Northland played Manawatu in their play-off this year, Northland won heavily.

"Rather than increase the number, the feedback I have had suggests most players and coaches would prefer to play a double round-robin.

"Under the present six-team competition, I don't feel any player who should be looked at by the national selectors is missing out. I would rather see the extra games within six teams."

Next year's league is scheduled to start within three weeks of the Athens Olympic Games.

The first matches are set down for September 18 and 19, and the finals will be played in Christchurch on October 9 and 10.

Each of the 16 teams will contribute $12,000 - the same as this year - towards travel and accommodation.