Hockey: League might be played later next year

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The unqualified success of the national hockey league does not necessarily mean there will not be changes in future.

New Zealand Hockey Federation executive director Ramesh Patel said yesterday that there would be a strategic review at the end of the Lion Foundation League with a view to change in 2001.

"We gave a commitment before the first league in 1999 that we would play in April-May for the first two seasons and then look to play later, perhaps August-September, in 2001," Patel said.

"Obviously we want all the feedback we can get to see which best suits the players and the federation. "We have been encouraged by the response from the players, the associations, the public and media but it will not hurt to try it at another time and see what the reaction is."

The earlier time-slot has seen the league played at the same time as the Super 12 rugby, the Australian rugby league and soccer competitions, both involving New Zealand teams, and the early rounds of the Ansett New Zealand club soccer championship.

By switching to later in the year, hockey could find itself up against only NPC rugby and the latter rounds of domestic soccer.

"We have to work things out because we also have the promotion-relegation tri-series between the bottom men's and women's teams and the winners of the North and South Island tournaments to consider," Patel said.

"Whatever we do decide will be included in our draft programme which should be available at our annual meeting in September at the latest."

NZHF officials are delighted that the success of the league has encouraged live television coverage of the women's final between Auckland and Canterbury at Lloyd Elsmore Park on Saturday and the men's final the following week.

"That has been a real coup for us," Patel said. "We are grateful our sport is getting the recognition we feel it deserves."

The league was always likely to be a winner, with all the country's leading players involved. Unlike sports such as soccer, rugby and rugby league, all New Zealand's best players are competing domestically.

The North Harbour men will know on Sunday afternoon who they will play in their final at Albany's Rosedale Park on Saturday week.

Midland Express will play Auckland in Hamilton on Sunday, with Auckland needing at least a draw to reach the final ahead of Northland.