Manager of the NZ Maori Team
E-mail: scott.woolf@nzdf.co.nz
The National Maori Hockey Tournament for 2002 was this year hosted by Tai Tokerau (Northland) in Whangarei over the Labour Weekend period.
The overall performance of both the men's and women's teams resulted in Waikato's best performance at the national tournament since it's inception 11 years ago. The men made the final for the second time in the last three years. However, playing Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) whom are stacked with New Zealand representatives, the final was always going to be a struggle. The score line blew out to 7-2 in the end with Tamaki's David Kosoof, Bevan Hari, and Sean Barnett inflicting most of the damage.
However, the key performance from Waikato's point of view was the women's result. Finishing third equal with Tamaki Makaurau was a best ever finish for the Waikato woman - whom have never previously made it into the top four teams at a tournament. This result showed a huge resurgence of interest from the woman's ranks and with a couple of key players missing from their squad, the future looks very bright indeed.
Congratulations go out to Tane Apanui, Scott Barnett, and Te Rau Brown on their selection into the New Zealand Senior Men's team. Ethan Hohneck and Aaron Barnsdall are non-travelling reserves. Selected to go to the U21 Men's trials in January are Aaron Barnsdall, Travis Hari, Brendan Ward, Scott Barnett, and Jay Jay Hemara. The woman to be selected to trial for the U21 team are Vanessa Hull, Toni Clough, Kathryn Carter, and Renee Hurihanganui.
Tournament 2003 will be held in Auckland next year over Labour Weekend. If there is anyone in the Waikato/Thames/Counties regions who has Maori blood flowing through their veins and are interested in trialling for next years tournament, please contact Scott Woolf on 021 526 023.
Bevan Hari
David Kosoof