Hockey: Sibling rivalry fought out with sticks

Brotherly and sisterly love will have no place in some NHL matches this season.

As well as the Stafford brothers Peter and Matt who will oppose each other in leading Canterbury and Midlands tomorrow, there are at least 17 instances of brothers and sisters either playing together or in different teams.

Suzie Muirhead and her sister Nicky Pearce will square off in this afternoon's Wellington v Midlands clash. A late call-up to the Southern team for Preteesh Parsotam (in for the injured Tim Stewart) gives him the chance to play against his brother, Rakesh, when they meet Auckland at the National Hockey Stadium this afternoon.

In a later match, North Harbour's Shaun Barnett will clash with his Wellington-based brother Scott.

The North Harbour women have three sets of sisters, including twins Amanda and Kim Green and internationals Lizzy and Connie Igasan.

Sisters Caroline Stuart (Auckland) and Nicky Howes (Northland) will be literally at the opposite ends of the turf when they clash on September 24 - both are goalkeepers.

Much closer together will be fullbacks Hayden and Brad Shaw when they turn out for Canterbury. Hayden has returned to the NHL after giving it a miss last season while he concentrated on his cricket comeback.

The Northland women have Jasmin and Jessie McQuinn and Carli and Stacey Michelsen, continuing Northland's family traditions. It is an even bigger family affair for the Southern women. Sisters Jessica and Pip Bagley are on the field, mum (Jill) and dad (Ian) on the sidelines as manager and coach.

NHL FAMILY TIES

Jessica and Pip Bagley (Southern)

Shaun (North Harbour) and Scott (Wellington) Barnett

Rhianna and Gabrielle Buchanan (North Harbour)

John and Dean Child (Northland)

Amanda and Kim Green (North Harbour)

Nicky Howes (Northland) and Caroline Stuart (Auckland)

Lizzy and Connie Igasan (North Harbour)

David (Midlands) and Scott (Northland) Heappey

Warren (Midlands) and Frances (Auckland) Kreft

Jasmin and Jessie McQuinn (Northland)

Carli and Stacey Michelsen (Northland)

Suzie Muirhead (Wellington) and Nicky Pearce (Midlands)

Rakesh (Auckland) and Preteesh (Southern) Parsotam

Amanda (Canterbury women) and Jamie (Wellington men) Schaefer

Kayla and Verity Sharland (Canterbury)

Hayden and Brad Shaw (Canterbury)

Matt (Midlands) and Peter (Canterbury) Stafford

Anita and Shane Wawatai (Central)