P R E S S R E L E A S E

 

June 20, 2003

 

Draw for 2003 Lion Foundation New Zealand Hockey League
Click for draw

 

The New Zealand Hockey Federation today released the draw for the 2003 Lion Foundation New Zealand Hockey League, introducing several changes to last season's format.

 

The League will start later this year, on September 27, to allow for the completion of the New Zealand Men's Oceania Cup Qualifying Series. The final of the series, between Australia, New Zealand and Fiji will be played the previous weekend, on September 20.

 

The League will culminate in a similar finals weekend format to the one that proved popular last year, but will this year be held in Wellington.

 

Each team will have a minimum of two homes games and the Men's and Women's sides from each region will play at the same venue one after the other, to create atmosphere.

 

A double header has been introduced on October 4 and 5. Playing round two and three together in one weekend, will minimise travel expenses and add interest, creating a tournament-like environment.

 

Teams must name a squad of 18 by August 18, and will be required to confirm their squad of 18 by September 1. Each team will be allowed four guest players.

 

The Women's Competition will have a new side this year. Northland beat Waikato in this year's promotion/relegation series, relegating Waikato to the National Women's Tournament. Northland Men defended their place, beating Manawatu. Both series were played from May 16-18 and resulted in two straight wins to both the Northland sides

 

 

 

Please see attached draw.

For further information please contact:

Prashila Patel

Wk 09 629 2932 (work)

 

LION FOUNDATION

2003 NEW ZEALAND HOCKEY LEAGUE

 

DRAW

 

MEN                                                                                        WOMEN

Round 1, 27th September

 

 

Round 12, 27th September

2.45pm

Auckland

v

Wellington

AKL

 

1.00pm

Auckland

v

Wellington

AKL

2.00pm

North Harbour

v

Midland

HLZ

 

2.00pm

North Harbour

v

Manawatu

PMR

4.15pm

Canterbury

v

Northland

WRE

 

2.30pm

Canterbury

v

Northland

WRE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 2, 4th October

 

 

Round 2, 4th October

1.45pm

Auckland

v

Midland

AKL

 

12.00pm

Auckland

v

Manawatu

AKL

3.00pm

North Harbour

v

Northland

NH

 

1.30pm

North Harbour

v

Northland

NH

2.30pm

Canterbury

v

Wellington

WLG

 

12.30pm

Canterbury

v

Wellington

WLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 3, 5th October

 

 

Round 3, 5th October

 

1.45pm

Midland

v

Northland

AKL

 

12.00pm

Northland

v

Manawatu

AKL

2.45pm

Auckland

v

Canterbury

CHC

 

1.00pm

Auckland

v

Canterbury

CHC

12.30pm

Wellington

v

North Harbour

WLG

 

2.30pm

Wellington

v

North Harbour

WLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 4, 11th October

 

 

Round 4, 11th October

1.30pm

Wellington

v

Midland

TRG

 

2.00pm

Wellington

v

Manawatu

PMR

4.15pm

Auckland

v

Northland

WRE

 

2.30pm

Auckland

v

Northland

WRE

2.45pm

North Harbour

v

Canterbury

CHC

 

1.00pm

North Harbour

v

Canterbury

CHC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 5, 16th October

 

 

Round 5, 16th October

5.30pm

Canterbury

v

Midland

WLG

 

7.00pm

Canterbury

v

Manawatu

PMR

7.30pm

Wellington

v

Northland

WLG

 

5.30pm

Wellington

v

Northland

WLG

8.00pm

Auckland

 

North Harbour

NH

 

6.30pm

Auckland

v

North Harbour

NH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semis and Finals 18th/19th October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NB: The draw has taken into consideration the following factors:

1.     Men and Women playing at the same venue

2.     To minimize travel over the double header weekend

3.     To give all Associations at least two home games

4.     Auckland centenary dinner on 27th September, therefore Auckland host matches that day