Leading Sticks talent to star in pre-season games

Hockey

International hockey stars and Wairarapa's top talent will be on show in Wairarapa in the pre-season men's national hockey league match to be played at the Trust House Hockey Complex at Clareville this Sunday.

Seven New Zealand Black Sticks, three Black Sticks development squad members and five Junior Black Sticks will feature in the match between Trust House Capital and the Central Mavericks, at 1pm.

The match is being brought to Wairarapa by Trust House as part of its support for the regional men's team, Trust House Capital. "This is a spectacle not be missed - not just for hockey players but anyone who enjoys top-class sport," Trust House chief executive Allan Pollard said.

Capital men and women's players, including Black Sticks, will be on hand for a training session with young hockey players from 11am, something which Pollard "sees as a great chance for the youngsters to not only receive valuable tips from top players most will only have ever seen on television but also to pick up their autographs and be photographed with them".

"Hockey Wairarapa executive officer Kelly Govan said Trust House had always been a great supporter of Wairarapa hockey and the association was excited about this unique opportunity to have young players involved in such a high-profile promotion."

Trust House Capital's Black Sticks include Phil Burrows, who has played 303 internationals making him New Zealand's most capped hockey player, Blair Hilton with 99 caps, Stephen Jenness with 87, Alex Shaw and Jacob Smith.

Playing at home in their Capital strip will be Wairarapa's Junior Black Sticks Benedict Van Woerkom and Trent Lett, and Black Sticks development squad member Dane Lett.

An experienced Central Mavericks line-up includes Black Sticks Shea McAleese and Nick Wilson, with 181 and 124 caps respectively, Junior Black Sticks Martin Atkinson and Glen Eyres, and development squad player Sam Greaney.

The same two teams will clash in the opening game of the National Hockey League tournament starting on August 10 and Capital manager Bruce Armstrong said this Sunday's match would be a "well-fought local derby" as the two sides prepare for the more important assignments ahead.

He said "the NHL competition would be extremely tough and intense this year with all of the Black Sticks back after their absence last year because of the Olympics".

The full programme for Sunday is:

11am to 11.45am: ActivePost Small Sticks programme with Trust House Capital men and women; noon:NHL teams warm up; 1pm: Trust House Capital v Central Mavericks; 2.30pm: Featherston v Dalefield women's game.