'Uplifting' hockey fest eyes next goals

Argentinian fans celebrate the result of the Six Nations final at Unison Stadium, Hastings. Photo/Warren Buckland

The inaugural Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey, which ended yesterday, has been an unbelievable success, says event creator Bruce Mactaggart.

Next year's tournament looks set to be even better with it being expanded to include two more international teams. Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said it was hoped the Netherlands, who were ranked No1 in the world, would join the festival next year.

The Netherlands' assistant coach had been present at this year's festival.

Mr Mactaggart said said festival tickets sold out on Saturday, with more than 3000 people turning up to watch the Black Sticks women play Australia.

There were also more than 2000 people watching the Black Sticks play China in the third/fourth playoffs yesterday.

"Considering the unseasonable weather, the turnout has been unbelievable," Mr Mactaggart said.

The hockey festival saw 65 games of hockey played over nine days, culminating in Argentina beating Australia 3-0 in the final game of the six nations tournament.

The Black Sticks Women took fourth place in the competition, succumbing to China 3-2.

Mr Mactaggart said feedback from international teams about the festival was "uniformly good".

"Every team that is here this year wants to come back."

"For a new tournament, to have eight top 20 international teams wanting to join us next year, that's very special," Mr Mactaggart said.

"I asked the coach of one of the international teams what we could have done better this year and he said, 'absolutely nothing', the team experience and the way the event has been run, has just been sensational."

Mr Mactaggart said there was ongoing discussion with a number of broadcasters, Sky TV included, with regard to the international broadcasting rights for next year's festival.

He described international broadcasting as "the next critical step" for the festival.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the hockey festival had been "immensely uplifting" for the local community.

"To think that there were 3000 spectators on Saturday, despite the weather - it sold out, which is unheard of," Mr Yule said.

"There were hundreds of volunteers involved.

"It's like Horse of the Year; this was the first step, and it will grow from here.

"The Japanese have been stunned by our hospitality. The Australians said the turf at Unison Stadium was the best turf they'd ever played on," Mr Yule said.

The recently completed Unison hockey turf in Hastings was the only tier one hockey facility in New Zealand.

Mr Yule was hopeful next year's festival would be broadcast internationally by Sky TV.

"To see the festival televised on Sky Sport to more than 100,000 people - that would be the biggest exposure the region has ever had."

The festival would remain in Hawke's Bay for at least the next 10 years, Mr Yule said.

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