Easy decision to play in benefit match for mate

With Mike's ability, he would have been playing with the Black Sticks by now if it wasn't for his accident.David KosoofThe New Zealand men's Black Sticks  are set to clash with a Northland/North Harbour Combined side at Whangarei to support a true ambassador of hockey, Mike Delaney.
Two years ago, the promising Northland hockey talent broke his neck in a tragic swimming accident prior to a planned trip overseas with the Junior Black Sticks.
Initially, Delaney was totally paralysed down his right side, but after extensive physio, operations and most recently stem cell treatment, the 20 year-old has gained back some of his mobility and picked up a hockey stick last month for the first time since the accident.
Combined coach David Kosoof said it was an honour for his team to play in tomorrow's match at ITM Rosvall Stadium, which was part of the benefit weekend organised by Northland Hockey to raise funds for Delaney's ongoing treatment costs.
"I played alongside Mike in the North Harbour National League team. With Mike's ability, he would have been playing with the Black Sticks by now if it wasn't for his accident. I know what he's been through ... to get to where he is now - and how hard it is for him to even come down and watch hockey. This is our opportunity to repay him," he said.
Kosoof said the team,  was made up of Northland players who had played age-group hockey with Delaney, and North Harbour players who Delaney had later played National League hockey with in 2006/07, was a competitive one. Black Sticks' coach Shane McLeod said it was an easy decision for the team to play in the match as many of the players knew Delaney when he was coming through the national programme.
"Mike's accident has made the players thankful of their achievements and made them recognise how things can change very quickly - it has changed their perspective on life. We  [Black Sticks] are asked to do many things but when we were asked to do this, the decision was a no-brainer really."
The national coach said his side were shaping up well ahead of their World Cup Qualifying tournament in Invercargill early next month and the match against a strong combined side would provide great entertainment for the crowd, as well as providing much-needed game time for the Black Sticks.
The Black Sticks have a training run at the stadium today  from noon, which will be followed by a coaching session for coaches run by McLeod.
The match, at ITM Rosvall Stadium, starts at 2pm tomorrow.
Black Sticks: Joel Baker, Simon Child, Hugo Inglis, Steve Edwards, Stephen Graham, Nick Haig, Andy Hayward, Blair Hopping, Shea McAleese, James Nation, Blair Hilton, Richard Petherick, Kyle Pontifex, Bradley Shaw, Hayden Shaw, Nick Wilson, Arun Panchia.
Northland/North Harbour Combined: Dave Kosoof, Priyesh Bhana, James Delaney, Chris Lee, Joseph Bartholomew, Sam Bartholomew, Jan Petterson, Bryce Collins, Simon Brill, Dave Green, Lloyd Stephensen, Sam Webb, Brad Cotton, Cam Hellier, Craig Thorne, Ryan Cocking, Jared Cocking.