Black Sticks' players Marcus Child (left), and Cory Bennett thrilled pupils at Otumoetai Primary School with a visit yesterday. Photo/John Borren
The men's Black Sticks were out in force yesterday ahead of tonight's opening test against Japan at the Tauranga Hockey Centre.
If you frequent Mount Maunganui or Otumoetai, you likely saw squad members going about their promotional work in a manner foreign to some of the more highly-publicised national sporting
sides.
Marcus Child and Cory Bennett squeezed in a trip to Otumoetai Primary School before a scheduled afternoon practice, while across town rivals Japan took to Tauranga Hockey Centre turf ahead of tonight's opening clash.
The public would also be given the opportunity to grow accustomed to the conditions of international hockey when the turfs were opened up for "Have A Go" sessions ahead of tonight and Saturday's clashes between Black Sticks and 14th-ranked Japan.
Gates open today at 4pm, with tickets available at ticketdirect.co.nz
