Keen for more international experience

GIVING BACK: As well as competing at the Oceania Challenge Cup in Fiji, the New Zealand Presidents Invitation team also did a coaching session with young locals. Team manager Wade Manson, of Gisborne, is pictured with a Fijian under-18 player to whom Manson gave a hockey stick at the end of the session. Picture supplied

WADE Manson’s first international experience as a manager ended with a 7-1 loss for his New Zealand Presidents Invitation team in the final of the Oceania Challenge Cup in Suva, Fiji.

But despite the scoreline, the regional sports director for Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti said it was an experience he would not have missed and he is keen to be involved in future international tournaments “preferably not so close to Christmas”.

“It’s a busy time of the year for work and family and I’m grateful to for the support of my family, Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti for letting me have the time off, as I’m not long started in my new role, and to Hockey NZ for the giving me the opportunity of my first international experience.

“It was a great experience, a great bunch of lads and we had an awesome coach (Sunjay Ganda), who has coached the Canterbury national senior team.

“Everybody enjoyed themselves and are keen to be a part of it next year.”

Manson was not the only member of the team connected to Gisborne.

Team member Chris Goldsbury (27) is the grandson of Muriel and the late Ray Goldsbury, and nephew of former Poverty Bay rugby referee and representative cricketer Steve Goldsbury.

Chris’s father Brian, from Gisborne, played for Auckland and won many national titles.

Auckland-born Chris was a member of national championship-winning Canterbury teams and is the current Canterbury Hockey Association marketing manager.

“It was an invitation team with players ranging from up-and-comers to experienced players,” said Manson, who has managed Central Districts under-21 and u18 boys teams, as well as being a Poverty Bay age-group rep coach.

“There were four men’s teams: us, Fiji Presidents, Japan under-21s and Australia Country u21s, and four women’s teams, although New Zealand did not have a women’s side.

“We were supposed to play seven games in eight days but because of the heat and the humidity it was changed to a round-robin format, with semis and a final.”

New Zealand lost 3-0 to Japan, beat Fiji 8-1 and lost 6-5 in a penalty shootout to Australia Country after the teams finished 2-2 after the four 15-minute quarters.

“There was a downpour and the pitch was completely flooded but it was the same for both teams, so no excuses.

“The next day we played Australia in the semis and won 1-0 in golden goal extra-time.”

Manson said Japan were just too good for us in the final.

“They were very professional and well organised in everything they did on and of the field.”

Manson said the trip included many highlights on and off the field.

“On one of the rest days, our team were involved with coaching local players. We all loved it. The players gave away some of their gear at the end of the session as well as after the tournament.

“There was about 40 kids who turned up for the coaching. All players who are being considered for the Fijian team to try to qualify for the Youth Olympics next year.

“The opening ceremony was special. I got to sit up the front with the other officials, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism. We had a kava session with the minister as part of the ceremony.

“The team also performed a haka before the semis and final. They did well to learn it within a couple of days and it provided a great atmosphere heading into the business end of the tournament.

“The Japanese team were really excited when it was performed for the final.

“Looking back on the trip, it was a real eye-opener for me, not having been involved at this level, but the players and Sunjay made it a very enjoyable experience.”

“As well as making sure all the travel arrangements were on time — well, Fiji time, which was usually half and hour after we were supposed to go somewhere — my main role was organising the substitutes.

“Sunjay worked out who was going on and at what times, subject to injury or form, the night before each game.

“Once the game started, it was my job to sort the subs out to let Sunjay concentrate on the match.”