Atkinsons' return a big boost for Wanganui senior men

Hockey PHOTO/FILE

Some familiar faces have boosted the Wanganui senior men's representative hockey team as they compete in the Central Hockey League tournament in Palmerston North this weekend.

Taking on Taranaki, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay before entering either the 1st-2nd or 3rd-4th playoffs tomorrow, the Atkinson clan has returned for Wanganui as father Langley Atkinson will again coach the team, which includes his sons Martin and Reid.

"I'm excited [for the team], especially with Marty coming back into the fold," said Hockey Wanganui's Kylie Penn.

Martin Atkinson will be a key player.

Now based in Auckland, the 2013 Junior Black Sticks wider squad member was recently named in Sport NZ's latest Pathway to Podium (P2P) programme, designed to help young athletes reach the elite level.

Also coming back are former Wanganui representatives Josh Rainey, Jack Burgess, Craig Hilbourne and Patrick Reynolds.

They will play alongside Joseph Redpath, Ryan Gray, Ben Pilet and Lee Moir, who have been named in the wider CHL Under-18s squad for the nationals in July.

Other players from the Tech College Old Boys team fill out the rest of the squad.

The Wanganui women's team, coached by Jan Dixon and assisted by Mark Lyles, played Taranaki last night at the Wanganui Collegiate turf, and continue today against Horowhenua, before playing Hawke's Bay and Manawatu tomorrow. The team is a combined TCOB women's and Collegians squad, including upcoming CHL Under-18s representatives Beth Norman and Emma Rainey.

Games will be two 30-minute halves, with 5-10 minutes break in between.