Funding helps junior keepers gear up

THOU SHALT NOT SCORE: New Zealand Community Trust funding has enabled Poverty Bay Hockey to buy goalkeeper gear that will be used by school teams on a rotational basis. Modelling the gear are (from left) Cole Manson, Jade Martin and Lachlan Vause. Hockey continues to grow in popularity since the LJ Hooker Turf was opened in 2015, particularly at junior level. There has been a 30 percent increase in junior numbers since 2015. Playing games on week days, freeing up weekends for other sports and activities, is a major factor. Picture by Liam Clayton

GOALKEEPERS are a special breed. The last line of defence. The gatekeepers.

“Thou shalt not score” is their motto and time and again they are called upon to put their bodies on the line.

The problem for Poverty Bay Hockey is that goalkeepers have become something of a rare breed at junior level.

It’s not about the popularity of the position, rather the restrictive cost.

Hockey, particularly at junior level, is booming.

Since the artificial turf was opened in 2015, there has been an 18 percent increase in player numbers overall and a 30 percent increase in junior numbers.

Over the 2017 winter season, 955 players competed on the turf.

It is estimated that one turf can accommodate 800 to 1000 participants, which means the LJ Hooker Turf is almost at capacity.

This year the years 5 and 6 division featured 24 teams — an increase of two from 2016 — while there were 10 teams in the Y7-8 division — up three on the previous year.

Such was the popularity of these age groups that two nights were needed to accommodate everyone.

The major factor in this increase is playing during the week.

This allows youngsters to pursue other winter sports, such as rugby and football, at the weekend.

However, this increase also raises extra demand for equipment, especially goalkeeping gear.

“Hockey goalies are a specialist role and difficult to find,” says Poverty Bay Hockey administrator Mai Gooch.

“Part of the problem is the cost of goalie gear. Most schools don’t have the budget to cover the costs.”

In an effort to ease that burden, PB Hockey looked at ways around it and the idea of a rotation system for gear was raised.

Funding from New Zealand Community Trust has helped turn the idea into reality.

PB Hockey was able to buy three full sets of goalie gear to be used by schools on a rotational basis.

“This will give teams the benefit of having a goalie and players can experience the role in appropriate safety gear without the high cost,” said Gooch.

“PBH believe this will increase the number of goalies, with a flow-on effect into our representative programme.

“We’re very grateful for the support of NZCT to help develop our sport and the role of the goalie.”