A woman who picked up the whistle at the same time as her stick is this year's international Hawke's Bay Cup technical delegate.
Queenslander Jo Greensill crossed the ditch last week to take up her first top role at an international tournament after playing the game and refereeing for 37 years.
She is the eyes and ears of the cup, making sure everything runs to plan and within the International Hockey Federation's rules and regulations from on the pitch to inside a local restaurant.
"Everything has gone pretty well so far but I don't think anyone expected a water main to burst so we had to manage it as it happened. Some things you can't predict and that is just life."
Ms Greensill consulted players, coaches and other officials before making the call to temporarily suspend the match between the Black Sticks and Japan last Ftriday for about an hour.