Black Sticks in Warkworth

The Warkworth Showgrounds hockey turf will be treated to its first international fixtures next month when the Black Sticks men play Canada.

The teams will play on October 17 and 18. The matches are part of a one-off four game series, that will act as a warm up for the Hockey World Cup in India in November.

Warkworth Hockey Turf Trust chair Brett Illingworth says the chance to host the event came as a late surprise in August.

“We were approached by North Harbour Hockey Association and then Hockey New Zealand about hosting the games at the showgrounds, as they wanted to bring hockey to the regions,” Illingworth says.

“At first we thought it was a lot to undertake as volunteers, but decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

The trust is hoping for an audience of around 600 people, with recommendations from Harbour that up to 800 people can fit around a full size turf.

“Everyone will be standing to watch and there will be no allocated areas so it’s first in first served.”

Illingworth says the games will be a great chance to expose local players to the top level of hockey and credit to the showgrounds facility.

New Zealand is currently ranked ninth in the world and Canada 11th.

“The two teams are both strong in the sport and closely ranked so we’re expecting the games to be a close contest.”

Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults, $35 for a family, $10 for students and free for children under five.

Ticfkets online are $12.50 for adults, $27.50 for a family, $8 for students.

“We’ve got costs to cover in terms of running the event, but we’re hoping to get a grant to help out from the Rodney Local Board.”

The whole series is costing Hockey New Zealand between $35,000 and $45,000 and the organisation is looking for sponsors to come on board. Both matches start at 7pm, entry from 6pm.