YMP women returning to Poverty Bay club hockey

Ngātapa celebrate their history-making victory over GMC Green in the A Grade women's final of Poverty Bay club hockey last year. The return of YMP will make Ngātapa's title defence even more challenging. Photo / Mai Gooch

The return of a YMP women’s team to the Poverty Bay senior hockey competition will be the feature of the season-opening games at Harry Barker Reserve.

YMP, who have a long and proud tradition of success, face off against GMC Kowhai in their welcome back match at 6pm on Friday.

“It’s great to have YMP back and I expect [to] see them come out blazing after a year off,” Poverty Bay Hockey chairman Kohere Tupara said.

“They are always a strong side, so I look forward to seeing who will be in their team this season.

“GMC Kowhai will want a strong start to the season, too, and I reckon they will be up for the challenge.”

Kowhai were fourth in the women’s competition last year.

Emerre and Hathaway LPSC Paikea and GMC Green take the turf at 7.30pm.

“Both will be eager to start their season with a win,” Tupara said. “It will be a close game and again I’m keen to see how both teams look.”

Reigning A Grade champions PGG Wrightson Ngātapa start their season against Amber Dental Gisborne Girls’ High School at 12pm on Saturday.

Ngātapa stunned GMC Green 2-1 in a history-making final last August.

“The reigning champions will want to start the year strong and I expect them to come away with the win,” Tupara said.

“Girls’ High were a very young team last year and I hope with a bit of experience from the 2025 season they will be able to provide a good challenge for Ngātapa. We shall see.”

In the men’s competition, YMP B and Gisborne Boys’ High School First XI face off at 1.30pm.

“I am excited to see how Boys’ High are set up for this year and also at the return of YMP B. Both have new faces who will be keen to stamp their mark on the senior competition.”

Laidlaw YMP A and Waituhi are next on the turf at 3pm.

“Both teams will be keen to get the rust off their sticks,” Tupara said. “They usually play in good spirit and it will be a positive game to start 2026 for both teams.”

Reigning champions YMP A completed an unbeaten season in 2025 with an emphatic 6-0 win victory over LPSC LOB Traktion in the final.

Traktion and LOB Masters come up against each other from 4.30pm to complete the season-opening games.

“It’s a battle of the clubmates,” Kohere said. “I’m sure it will be a great start to the season for both teams.

“Traktion should get up over their B team, but never underestimate the Masters.”