4th September
by Peter Cawkwell

At the NZHF Annual General Meeting 2006, held in Wellington(1st-2 Sept.), Seddon Polglase not only received his NZHF GOLD Medal Service Award, but was also elected Vice-President of New Zealand Hockey. His gold medal recognises the 25 years of service to Waikato Hockey as a coach and administrator. Seddon has also worked six(6) years on the NZ Youth Council.

Peter Cawkwell(WHA Chair); Seddon Polglase(Umpires Council); Bridget Daldy(Masters Council) and Denise Hill(WHA Manager) attended the meeting over WHA finals weekend.

Denise Hill accepted a NZHF Service Award, on behalf of Bruce Milne for over 25 years efforts in youth hockey in the Waikato.

Concern was expressed over numbers of Open Grade players declining. Waikato hockey is leading this decline with $5,000 less in contributions to NZ Hockey in affiliation fees. Smaller associations, such as Otago have twice as many women senior players. Clubs need to address this decline, by getting more young women school leavers playing hockey in the Waikato.

Waikato hockey remains the cheapest for Players.

An overall 4%(CPI) increase in fees was approved. That means that WHA players fees contribution will be increased as below.

CEO Ramesh Patel outlined the concerns over the cuts in SPARC funding which will mainly effect the BS womens team, moreso than the mens(depending on performance this week). The general NZHF Board policy is that a reduction in SPARC funding will only affect the HIGH PERFORMANCE programme and NOT the budget for Coaching and Performance . New sponsorships were being developed to reduce any negative affects of SPARC decisions, such as Singapore Airlines. The Board has reduced travel to regions and High Performance will be centred in Auckland.

Corrine Pritchard(retired) received a standing ovation when receiving her NZ Life Membership.(photos enclosed).

There will be a visit from the Dutch Mens Team and Australian women early next year for 7 tests at home.

The Pakistan Trophy(NZ Hockey's top honour) was awarded jointly to Bill Shepard, Chrichton Christie, Steve Everitt, and Neil Edmundson for their work on the TURF BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE & GUIDE.

The NZHF AGM will be held in Auckland next year.