Sport in New Zealand is often a family affair, but the National Hockey League takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level, with 22 sets of siblings competing. It's Family Ties meets Family Feud. The sisters really are doing it for themselves, and the brothers are not far behind.
The siblings include numerous Black Stick representatives. Family members represent different provinces.
Sisters Charlotte and 'Sam' Harrison are a classic case. Team-mates at international level, they have been fierce rivals this week, with Charlotte playing for Northland and Sam representing Auckland.
"We are still best mates before the games," says 22-year-old Charlotte, "but it certainly makes you want to try a little harder out there. If I look up and see Sam in front of me, there will be some extra effort."
"It's love and hugs off the field," agrees Sam, 19, "but very competitive out there.
"We are a lot rougher on each other - more aggressive and fiery. I know her moves but unfortunately she knows all mine too."
The duo don't stoop to trash talk, Sam saying a sarcastic "nice tackle" when one of them commits a foul would be as far as it goes. They learned their hockey in Northland, part of the famous eight from Kamo Intermediate who have gone on to wear the silver fern.
Hockey New Zealand rules mean players must represent their place of origin in the national league, but Sam has lived in Auckland for five years which also qualifies her for the Queen City.
"On tour with the Black Sticks, all the Northland girls were constantly trying to persuade her - and we thought we had," says Charlotte.
"There was a bit of a fight for me," laughs Sam, "but Auckland fits in well with my goals this year."
In the women's competition other prominent siblings include Black Stick Stacey Michelsen and her sister Carli (NZ development squad) with Northland and national co-captain Emily Naylor and her younger sister Alice representing Central. Twin sisters Amanda (North Harbour) and Kimberly Green (Midlands) have faced each other this week, while siblings Caroline Stuart and Nicky Howes are goalkeepers playing for different teams - Caroline for Auckland and Nicky for Northland.
On the men's side, Black Sticks star Simon Child turns out for Auckland, while older brother Jeremy suits up for Northland. Cameron Hayde (Midlands) and Mitchell Hayde (Canterbury) have been opponents, as have Simon (North Harbour) and Lewis Brill (Northland) and Sam (Auckland) and Tim Miskimmin (Canterbury).
There are brother and sister combinations - with Black Sticks men's development player Shay Neal playing for Northland while sister Brooke is in the NZ under-21 squad.
Perhaps the best example of family ties is the Rowsell family. Sisters Jan (Burrows) and Rhonda and brother Dwayne play for Auckland, alongside Jan's husband Phil Burrows, while father Bert Rowsell has long been the team manager.
The NHL could be used as a blueprint for other national competitions. All the top New Zealand players have come back to play, having been told it was mandatory if they wanted to be considered for next year's Olympics. Imagine how much more interest there would be in netball's upcoming national provincial championships if all the top ANZ Championship players were available, and directed to play for their home province.
The presence of so many Black Sticks has created an ultra-competitive competition, and holding rounds within one city has created a genuine tournament atmosphere.
Says Charlotte Harrison: "This year has has been the most even competition I can remember. "With so many good players around it is fierce and nobody wants to lose to their [national] team mates."
Charlotte's Northland met Sam's Auckland in the semifinal yesterday, with Auckland eventually prevailing 3-1 over Northland, while on the Men's side Central will face Auckland in today's final.