Hockey: Aussies driving revival

Mark Hager. Photo / Dean Purcell

Toni Cumpston makes no apologies for the hard-nosed attitude she and fellow Australians are using to drive the revival in New Zealand hockey.

That the 40 best young players leave today for Australia for under-18 tests - men and women - is another part of Cumpston's determination to ensure the next wave of New Zealand players are given every opportunity to both improve and, more importantly, gain invaluable international experience.

It is no fluke that the improved showing by the Black Sticks has come with the arrival of key personnel from Australia.

Cumpston, Hockey New Zealand's high-performance manager, is joined in the green and gold drive on this side of the Tasman by Black Sticks women's coach Mark Hager, performance analyst Ian Hicks, participation and development manager Ian Francis (he also had overall control of the highly successful Champions Trophy tournament) and Jason Butcher.

Ian Rutledge, a previous coach of the national women's team, was the first of the current crop of Australians to ply his trade here.

"I had some expectations when I came here 13 months ago," said Cumpston. "I had worked with Mark and he was very positive about the high-performance direction and talent here. The job is what I expected and I have been encouraged with the junior programme we now have in place.

"It is staggering that some players are still making their international debuts in the Black Sticks," said Cumpston who obviously is confident she can change that. Unlike the coaches, Cumpston does not have a contract. Results will, surely, continue to drive her.

Former Black Stick Bryce Collins will coach the boy's under-18 team while Butcher, Auckland Hockey's director of coaching and a former top-level coach in Australia, will be in charge of the women's team.

Both teams have two warm-up matches against Australian under-20 outfits before playing a three-match series against the Australian under-18s in Canberra.

"The tour is an important part of our build-up to the next Junior World Cups," said Cumpston. "We have already had four-day training camps for our best under-18 and under-21 talent this year. The 30 boys and 30 girls were put through their paces at these camps at which Mark Hager and [national men's coach] Shane McLeod were involved.

"It is planned we will do at least the same again next year as we build towards the Oceania Junior World Cup qualifying tournaments."

On the basis of the Black Sticks' high rankings, Oceania are guaranteed two places in the Junior World Cups. New Zealand and Australia will start as hot favourites but Cumpston hopes other countries, maybe Fiji, Samoa or Papua New Guinea, will take part.

"But they have to be competitive," said Cumpston. "It is important we grow Oceania."

Oceania has yet to allocate a venue for the qualifying tournament but Cumpston is keen to see New Zealand bid for hosting rights.

"We are building towards the Junior World Cup [under-21] in India in 2013 and the Youth Olympics in China in 2014. At this stage the Junior World Cup is scheduled for February but maybe moved to a date later in the year."

At the highest level Cumpston remains optimistic.

"The best thing to come out of the Champions Trophy is the attitude of the players," said Cumpston. "Even after good results they were not satisfied and rued the missed opportunities.

"We need to be better again in London [the Olympics]. I dream of a medal for both teams. And only gold."

Realistically, can New Zealand win what would be a second Olympic medal?

"Certainly. The work we are doing ensures we are continually getting better. This Champions Trophy is about London."

Her confidence is shared by the coaches and players determined to ride the wave of popularity their sport is now deservedly enjoying.