Members of the Hatch Cup Hockey team who are going to play in Christchurch. Pictured at the Kelt Capital Hockey Stadium, in Napier are, back, from left, Ro Hill, Clive Hambley, Morgan Fisher, Matthew Edmondson, Luke McKay, Braydon Hambley, Jake Renton, Henry Yule, Chapman Olsen and Tim Prussing. Front, from
left, Adam Simkin, Ben Taylor, Andy Drinkwater, Cameron Lagah, Taylor Wood, Jack McIvor, Maatu Akonga and Jayson Prussing.
In some provinces, going away to representative tournaments, is simply a matter of turning up.
There's no travel money to raise, no sponsors to find and no need to put your hand in your pocket for travelling attire. But that's not the way things work in Hawke's Bay, although it is why the under-13 boys' hockey team were so delighted to be presented with their team jackets, ahead of next week's Hatch Cup national tournament in Christchurch.
"It meant so much to the boys, because of all the hard work they'd put in to get there," said manager Clive Hambly of the jacket presentation.
"The team has been practising five-days-a-week, with some of the sessions starting at 5.45am, before they went off to school. All the boys had to pay $400 themselves and also managed to obstain personal sponsorship of $250.
"We were extremely lucky to attract a major sponsor in DAVMET, as well as jacket sponsorship from Taradale Vet Hospital, Focus Health Pharmacy, Yummy Frit Company, Gifford Devine and Dynamic Fluid Sysrems. The total cost of the campaign will be over $30,000 and I also have to thank the Lion Foundation and Heretaunga Community Trust for the funding they provided.
"Last year the team finished fourth at the tournament and we certainly aim to improve on that this time."
