Hockey: Brothers give all to the game

Hamish (left), Ethan and Dominic Hahunga at last week's AIMS Games hockey tournament. Photo / Josh Hahunga

When Hamish Hahunga first picked up a hockey stick 11 years ago at Papamoa Primary School, he could never have imagined he would end up umpiring the game as a teenager. Or that his two siblings would follow in the same path.

But that is how it has panned out for the 18-year-old Tauranga Boys' College prefect and his hockey-mad family.

Hamish played in numerous school and representative teams at tournaments all around New Zealand but the perennial shortage of umpires at junior levels brought about the unexpected move to umpiring.

Five years ago, doing a favour for his younger brother Ethan's team, Hamish went to their national tournament and ended up umpiring the finals. He has never looked back since and enjoyed officiating at last week's AIMS Games. He played in two with Tauranga Intermediate and has done three years umpiring at the popular event.

Now in his last year of college, a career move to the defence forces means a move away from the Western Bay for Hamish but it will not be the last time the Hahunga family is involved.

Younger brother Ethan, 15, has followed in Hamish's footsteps both as a player and umpire.

Ethan played for Tauranga Intermediate at AIMS, for Tauranga Boys' College and also Tauranga age group representative teams, but as an umpire he has gone one step further. He has umpired finals at national tournaments and at last year's AIMS hockey 6-aside final. Like Hamish he helped out at last week's AIMS Games.

Their youngest brother Dominic, 13, made it a real family occasion last week as he played for Tauranga Intermediate's hockey side, in his second and final year of competition.

It is not often that all three brothers appear at the same event so it was a proud week for the family.

As one brother prepares to move on, Dominic is already learning the craft of umpiring, so expect him to be a part of the AIMS Games in years to come.

So why do they do it? When asked, the reply from the three brothers was the same.

"Hockey has been good to us over the years. It's allowed us to travel and enjoy many good times and AIMS has always been one of those fun times. Now, it's all about giving back to the game. That's why we're doing this."