Hockey: Game hurting under rising charges

By Terry Maddaford

Rising power and water charges and the high cost of installing artificial playing surfaces are threatening to make hockey in New Zealand an elitist sport.

In some associations, senior fees have risen to about $350, with around $125 going to associations and $35 to the national body. At North Harbour, as an example, there is a $55 fee per team per game to cover costs.

North Harbour, with its three-turf facility at Rosedale Park, has been particularly hard hit, with line power charges rising from $18 a day to $87.09. With many games played under lights in the peak demand period, it also pays 5.69c a unit used.

Power New Zealand defends this increase by saying it got its power "at a far cheaper rate" for the past two years. It is now being charged the full rate.

North Harbour chairwoman Ev Miller said the association's power bill would rise between $8000-$12,000 this year.

The Auckland Hockey Association paid more than $20,700 for power last year and $6305 to water its one water-based turf.

With most of the 33 associations in New Zealand now having at least one artificial surface, costs continue to rise.

Many will soon be looking at some big dollars for turf replacement.

Auckland put down a sand surface in 1989 and its water-based turf two years later. Both will need replacement within two to three years at an estimated cost of $750,000-$900,000.

Association officials admit the high cost of running their sport has left no surplus for replacement.

"Hockey here is quite expensive," said New Zealand Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel. "But we are not alone in this. It costs about $600 to play in a masters' competition in Brisbane.

"We are going to associations with a number of ideas. We have to get them to ensure they are providing value for money. It will be a real concern, however, if we find people are being driven away by costs."

There are about 37,000 registered players in New Zealand - up 7000 in the past 10 years and with junior numbers rising significantly.