Sticks' stand-in skipper rides hockey's highs and lows

Shea McAleese is riding a wave of emotions unlike any he's experienced before after taking over the reins as captain of the men's Black Sticks.
The 26-year-old midfielder has replaced the injured Phil Burrows as skipper but led the Black Sticks to a series defeat against Belgium.
New Zealand continue their five-test series against South Korea in Hamilton and Tauranga this week after losing the opening match 2-3 in Auckland.
They play two matches in Hamilton tonight and tomorrow then move to Tauranga for the last matches back-to-back this weekend.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for the three Tauranga players in the national men's squad: 25-year-old defender Andy Hayward, goalkeeper Steve Graham and backup goalie Hamish McGregor, 22.
McAleese got a taste of captaincy last year with the New Zealand development team at the Four Nations in Nottingham.
"You experience the highs and lows a little more as captain," McAleese said.
Coach Shane McLeod said McAleese, capped 130 times for his country, was the obvious choice to lead in Burrows' absence.
"Shea is a very talented and determined player who shows experience beyond his years.
"The respect that he has from the team will pay dividends both on and off the turf."
McAleese was no stranger to some of the Belgium players after playing European league hockey for the Braxgata Club. He will return to the club after the Korean series concludes.
He is also bolstering his coaching credentials in Europe, looking after the under-18s at Braxgata, the Hibiscus Coast premier reserves at North Harbour and the Hawkes Bay Hockey Academy.
Like many elites, McAleese leads a dysfunctional life, estranged from his family and friends for a lion's share of the year.
"It's nice to see them [parents Margie and Dan McAleese] in real life and not through computer screens [Skype]," he said.
The Commonwealth bronze medallist almost didn't make it home from Europe before Christmas. "I was caught up in the huge snowstorm and it had been snowing for five days so I struggled with the flights. I would have been gutted if I hadn't made it through."
He is mindful most of his friends have embraced domesticity and have children. "I don't have a girlfriend - she won't follow me for such a long time," he says with a grin.
For a man who spends seven out of 12 months based in Napier and Auckland, part of his strict regime includes eating six times a day and scraping together enough money to commute to training.
"I'm a professional athlete in amateur sports and I'll give it all my best. I don't want to have any worries about having gas in the car for training and afford to eat the right food."
McAleese and the Black Sticks played 40 test matches last year, a big ask. "We're doubling what the All Blacks do so it's tough," adding that playing at Indian venues in 45C heat takes a big toll.
TEST DETAILS
What: 2 x tests against South Korea on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Tauranga Hockey Centre
Cost: $15 adults, $5 children
Time: 3pm both days
Curtainraiser: NZ Maori men v Midlands XI, 12.30pm.