Hockey: Hopping plays for love not money in cash-strapped game

Blair Hopping mixes his hockey with work and family commitments. Photo / Getty Images

Black Sticks stalwart Blair Hopping doesn't begrudge the All Blacks, All Whites, Black Caps and other professional sportsmen one cent of their not insignificant earnings even as he accepts that he and his teammates are unlikely to ever get on to a sporting money-go-round.

"I have probably lost money playing hockey," Hopping said of his "have stick, will travel" lifestyle.

Money has never been dangled in front of New Zealand players in the sport being showcased at the Owen G Glenn Champions Trophy tournament in Auckland.

And while Hopping has been tempted to play professionally in Europe, he has never taken that opportunity preferring to mix his hockey with work and family commitments.

"Some can survive on what they earn in Europe. There is, as I understand it, reasonable money in club hockey over there but I chose the other path going through university and then teaching at Rangitoto College," said Hopping.

"They were very good and allowed me to work my timetable to suit my hockey."

Hopping is now a sales representative for artificial pitch manufacturers Tiger Turf who too have enabled him to mix his commitments; his boss Ron Armstrong is a former soccer international who understands the demands of top level sport.

While high-profile sports reap the benefits of television dollars, New Zealand's top hockey players get by as best they can. But success on the international stage does lead to support from funding agency Sparc through their performance enhancement grants.

"They probably cover your rent with a little bit left over," said Hopping. "Every now and then we get an allowance which might buy you some food but it is definitely not even close to what some get in other sports.

"I know Hockey New Zealand are working on things in an attempt to try and get some money for the players but that won't be easy. I am definitely not going to retire a rich man."

Hopping said while compensation would be welcome, the lack of funding had not stopped him and playing for New Zealand was "reward enough".