Hockey: Championing the cause of the game in NZ

Tournament backer Owen Glenn talks with security at the Owen Glenn FIH Champions Trophy hockey tournament. Photo / Greg Bowker

When Dean Couzins stepped forward and slotted the penalty stroke which earned the Black Sticks their epic come-from-behind 3-3 draw with the Netherlands, no one was cheering louder than the man who had played the major part in bringing the Champions Trophy to the North Harbour Hockey Stadium.

That the tournament bears his name is no big deal for Owen Glenn but he takes a certain pride in being linked to the sport's international body in seeing both incorporated in the inclusive naming of the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy.

Before he stepped in to support this 33rd edition of the annual tournament, Glenn had already pledged his support to Hockey NZ through a funding programme aimed at securing the next generation of players.

When the FIH called for expressions of interest from countries interested in hosting the tournament following the decision to take it away from India, Hockey New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole approached Glenn.

He did not hesitate in backing their bid.

"I had met FIH president Leandro Negre earlier in the year and he had said to me that the FIH would love to have a major tournament here," said Glenn. "So when this opportunity came up I remembered that conversation. And here we are."

Glenn had already pitched his tent firmly in the Hockey NZ camp. After being approached by Poole in April, Glenn pledged a $1 million donation on the basis that the New Zealand Hockey Foundation matched it. "From what Hilary has told me, they are on course to do that by March," said Glenn who also promised $100,000 a year for three years specifically for the development of young players.

Glenn hopes the tournament bearing his name will only be a starting point.

"If we really want to be on the hockey map we have to keep our name out there. The FIH have laid down criteria for countries wishing to host tournaments. They are sensible guidelines and as we have seen this week nothing that can't be met."

Glenn wants to go much further and is keen to see a permanent home for hockey in New Zealand. Without involving Hockey NZ, Glenn sought input from a number of people including Mike Stanley, chief executive of the Millennium for Sport and Health.

He then went to Hockey North Harbour and the national body with a plan to form a working group who would look at the feasibility of such an initiative. That group has come up with a three-year plan aimed at establishing a stadium up to international standard.

"If we want to be part of the planned international circuit we have to get FIH approval. The ultimate plan would be to have a 5000-seat purpose-built stadium.

"We definitely don't want a white elephant which would host one tournament a year," said Glenn. "We are at the feasibility stage and looking at revenue streams. We also have to be mindful of the rebuild in Christchurch. Canterbury is a very passionate hockey region and they will need help to get back to where they were before they lost Porritt Park."

Far from just being a "bricks and mortar" person, Glenn is passionate about a sport which, hard to believe, he has never played.

"The next step is to get the Government more involved in supporting hockey. This tournament has shown the true potential they have," said Glenn. "Imagine what both the men's and women's teams could do with a bit more funding."