Hockey: Midlands side 'looking good' for coach

Donna Keaney has been involved with Rotorua hockey for 20 years as a coach.

A National Hockey League pre-season event was held at Smallbone Park at the weekend, with Rotorua's Mrs Keaney among a wealth of volunteers and coaches involved in the event.

"This is the third year the pre-season event has been held in Rotorua," she said.

The event, hosted by the Rotorua Hockey Association, has attracted strong competition during the past three years, with eight teams featuring this year.

Mrs Keaney has taken on the role of head coach for the Midlands women's team this year, for the first time.

She said her team had a good run of results at the weekend, winning all four games against Northland, North Harbour and Queensland, who they played twice. "We are looking good," she said.

Men's and women's teams from Midlands, North Harbour, Northland and Queensland took part in the event.

Mrs Keaney said it was a bit of a step up taking over the top role as head coach, but she was enjoying the challenge.

The Midlands men's team, which included two Black Sticks in Andy Hayward and Richard Petherick, also made good use of the Rotorua event with the team registering a win, draw and a loss.

Mrs Keaney said it was good to have the touring Queensland side over to take part in the event this year.

Midlands is one of eight regional hockey franchises in New Zealand, incorporating players from the Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Tauranga, Thames Valley and Waikato.

The National Hockey League competition gets underway next month.