DOMESTIC TOURNAMENT REVIEW
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMITTEE
APRIL 2015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2014, Hockey New Zealand undertook the process to lock in the Ford NHL for the period
2015 -2018 both in timing and venues in order to give the regions greater certainty when
planning their season. From this process, it was agreed amongst the regions and associations
that HNZ should review the whole domestic calendar.
The HNZ Board agreed to undertake a Domestic Tournament Review in the first quarter of 2015
and the purpose of this review was to determine the following:
-
Recommended Calendar of National Domestic Tournaments
Recommendations on Age & stage of tournaments appropriate to Athlete’s development
Recommendations on tournament formats and timings
Define the purpose of national calendar and each tournament
The Domestic Tournament Review Committee has agreed on a two stage process for the
review:
Stage 1 – Implementation of changes to proceed in 2016
Below are the key recommended changes to our National Tournament programme to be
implemented in 2016:
-
U15
1 x 32 team National tournament
Played in July School holidays
-
U18
U18 Regional tournament only – No Association tournaments to be delivered at a
national level
Remain in July School holidays week before U15’s
-
U21
U21 tournament to become U23 tournament
Remain in the April/May timeslot and where possible it is played in the Uni holidays
The 8th team is to be formed from the NZ U’18s team from the previous year
-
-
OTHER
Two tournament rule becomes three tournament rule and includes Secondary School
tournaments
The rationale behind these changes can be found by reading through this document. These
changes are out to the associations and regions for feedback, with the next step to go to the
HNZ Board in June, with the aim to be approved before being communicated to all Associations
for the 2016 calendar year.
Stage 2 – Undertake further research and investigation during 2015 with implementation of any
changes to take place in 2017 – with a thorough communication and education process behind
it for the following:
-
-
Hatch Cup and Collier Trophy
Investigate the appropriate age and stage of development for participants at this age
level, taking into consideration their development age
Provide a recommended format for the appropriate competition phase as well as the
tournament format for this age and stage of participant
Under 18 versus Under 19
Undertake further investigation amongst players as to why participants are dropping
out during this age period
Investigate what competition and tournament format would encourage more
participants to play at this age
Have a particular focus on female participants in this age group as to what would
encourage them to remain in the game
NHL
-
-
Whilst the Domestic Tournament Review committee come up with some
recommendations for this event, the regional CEO group are meeting in May to
discuss the future format for the Ford NHL
The HNZ strategic direction also has plans for the future of this event or a High
Performance event that builds the bridge between club participation and international
competition
It was agreed that the purpose of the Domestic Tournament calendar was to focus on the
following key areas:
1. Participant Centred – each competition and tournament that is provided for hockey
should take into consideration the participant at the heart of it. This is paramount to
attracting people into our sport and retaining them for as long as we can
2. Long Term Athlete Development Pathway – the competition and tournament formats
should endeavor to capture people into our sport, provide them with the appropriate
pathway was to excel in the sport and then retain them in the sport for as long as
possible. The appropriate age and stage of delivery for a LTADP will ensure that
participants are developing at the appropriate level and have the correct mix of training
to competition ratios, as well as participating at a level commensurate with their ability
3. HNZ Vision – to become the leading hockey nation in the world – at present we do well
on the world stage. Our aim is to become the leading hockey nation in the world and this
is not only in regard to the performance of the National teams, but any development
programmes, competition formats, participation numbers plus providing age appropriate
competition formats that are leading the world.
DOMESTIC TOURNAMENT REVIEW TIMELINE
Hockey New Zealand sanctioned tournaments are an important part of the athlete development
pathway within Hockey in New Zealand. They provide an opportunity for players to participate,
perform and excel dependent on the position each tournament takes on the development
pathway. These tournaments fit with the 2016 – 2020 Hockey New Zealand overall strategy.
Hockey New Zealand currently runs 35 National tournaments (including 21 Secondary School
Tournaments). These can be split into 3 generic formats – Regional High Performance
Tournaments (NHL, U21, U18 Regional), Association based Community tournaments (U18
Association, Affiliates Tournament, Masters Tournament, U15, U13, National Senior
Tournament) and the 21 Secondary School tournaments.
Hockey New Zealand have decided to review the current tournament programme to see
whether it is still catering to our current hockey community. The following people were involved
in this review:
Ian Francis – Hockey New Zealand (Chair)
Aidan O’Connor – Hockey New Zealand
Terry Evans – Hockey New Zealand
Brad Jensen – Hockey New Zealand
Chris Wilson - Bowls NZ
Michelle Hayward - Sport Wellington
David Kosoof – North Harbour Hockey Association
Emily Naylor – Current International Hockey Player
Malcolm King – Marlborough Hockey Association
Declan Wyndham-Smith – Waikato Hockey Association
Yvonne Lee – South Canterbury Hockey Association
Sunjay Ganda – Canterbury Hockey Association
This proposal was presented at the Annual General Meeting in Napier on 18th April. This
proposal is now being sent to all Associations and Regions for feedback around the proposed
changes to tournaments and also the changes to the timeframe for this. Our final tournament
review document will be presented to the Hockey New Zealand Board at the June monthly
Board meeting for final sign off.
CHANGES FROM 2016 ONWARDS
U15
Key Changes
- 32 team tournament
- No championship tournament
- Three turf venue required to host
- 512 participants per gender
The domestic tournament review committee proposes this age group become the first age
group to include a National tournament, dependent on the outcome of the Hatch Cup and Collier
Trophy review.
The Under 15 tournament will no longer have the championship tournament. This will now follow
the same format as the 32 team Secondary School tournament, with 8 pools of 4, 3 pool play
games, followed by 4 knockout games to find the eventual champion. Seedings will be based on
previous year’s performance.
The tournament will move to the July school holidays to reduce the workload of the athletes and
to allow a clear split between Association play and Secondary School tournament preparation.
The move to a 32 team tournament will now enable all associations to compete at the same
tournament. Consideration will be given to allowing Association “B” teams once entries have
finished from all Association “A” teams. Preference will be given to well performed associations
from the previous year’s U15 tournament.
There will now be a need for this tournament to be played over 3 turfs. Following on from the
Secondary School tournament discussions held previously, there are 11 possible venues for this
tournament and importantly, at least one association from each of our 8 regions would be able
to host this tournament.
U18
Key Changes
- 12 team tournament
- 8 regional teams and 4 combined regional teams
- No association tournament
- 216 participants per gender
In 2013, the U18 age group expanded to include a Regional tournament. This was designed to
have the best U18 players in the country in one area to lift the quality of hockey played at this
age group.
The domestic tournament review committee proposes the Regional tournament remain and the
Association tournaments are removed. In addition, to the 8 regional teams, we will include four
combined regional teams to lift the number of participants and broaden the talent identification
to wider and later.
It is our feeling the needs of the U18 Association tournaments are now being met by the
Secondary School tournament programme which includes 313 teams (2013 NZSSSC figures).
There was a proposal to shift this age group to become U19. This would allow this age group to
capture all First year university students during a difficult period of their youth – the transition
from School to University. The decision has been put off to allow further discussion and
research on the merits of U18 vs U19.
The twelve proposed teams are:
Northland
North Harbour
Central
Capital
Nld/NH/Akl B
Midlands B
Auckland
Canterbury
Cent/Capital B
Midlands
Southern
Cant/Sth B
U21
In recent years, the average age of athletes competing at the U21 tournament has been 18
years of age. Around 40% of the players involved in the U21 tournament are also playing in the
U18 Regional tournament.
The comparison with the average age and percentage of players at NHL is alarming. Around
40% of NHL players are U21, and only 20% of players are aged between 21 – 23. This drop off
in players needs to be addressed.
The review committee has proposed to amend the U21 tournament to become U23 to include
the age group where we appear to be losing a large percentage of players. By raising the age
group, we are also aiming to raise the average age of the players involved and reducing the
number of players playing both tournaments.
PLAYER WELFARE RULE
Hockey New Zealand introduced a player welfare rule in 2012 to reduce the workload of our
developing hockey players. There is a real risk of burnout with players who are required to play
a large number of tournaments each year. Factored into this equation is the build up to each
tournament and the conflicting schedules (ie. Secondary School tournament and NHL being
close together).
In an effort to alleviate this issue, Hockey New Zealand introduced a rule which restricted the
number of tournaments each athlete could play in to 2 per calendar year (January – December).
Not included in the restricted tournaments were the Secondary School tournaments, where
more often than not a greater workload and large amount of pressure is placed on the individual
athlete.
The committee agreed the intention of the rule was good, but there needed to be an adjustment
made to its application. Therefore, the new rule states a player can play in no more than 3
tournaments in a calendar year including Secondary School tournaments. With the proposed
new calendar, this should reduce the conflict in schedules.
Any participant wishing to participate in more than three tournaments will need to apply to the
HNZ High Performance Director for an exemption to play in more.
2016 DOMESTIC TOURNAMENTS – DATES & VENUES
MARCH
29th Feb – 6th
18th – 20th
APRIL
4th – 8th
TBC
National Affiliates Tournament
National University Tournament
MAY
1st – 7th
National U23 Tournament
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
28th – 30th
10th – 16th
18th – 23rd
18th – 23rd
28th
National Masters Tournament
South Island Super Six Tournament
National Indian Tournament
National U18 Tournament
National U15 Boys Tournament
National U15 Girls Tournament
TBC
Dunedin
Palmerston North
Auckland
Canterbury
NHL Round 1
29th Aug – 3rd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
Secondary Schoolboy Tournaments
Rankin Cup & India Shield
Mayhill Cup*
Founders Cup*
Johnson Cup*
Olympic Stick *
Woolaston Trophy *
Coaches Cup*
Galletly Cup* (2nd XI Tnmt)
29th Aug – 3rd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
29th Aug – 2nd
Secondary Schoolgirl Tournaments
Federation Cup & Marie Fry Trophy
Chica Gilmer Trophy*
Jenny Hair Cup *
Audrey Timlin Memorial *
Eveline Hankers Memorial
South Island Secondary School Girls Tier 4 Tournament
Jenny McDonald Cup *
Kate Trolove Cup *
Mary Clinton Cup *
Rosemary O’Brien Cup*
Chris Arthur Cup* (2nd XI Tnmt)
29th Aug – 2nd
Secondary School Mixed Tournaments
North Island Mixed Tournament *
29th Aug
4th – 2nd
10th – 18th
11th – 16th
3rd – 8th
3rd – 8th
22nd – 24th
Nelson
SouthRound
Island2Mixed Tournament*
NHL
NHL Rounds 3 – 7 & Finals Weekend
National Senior Tournament
National U13 Boys Hatch Cup Tournament
National U13 Girls Collier Trophy Tournament
National Maori Tournament
North Harbour
Whangarei
Hamilton
Hamilton
Tauranga
Wellington
TOURNAMENTS WITH NO CHANGES MOVING FORWARD
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
A comprehensive review was held in 2014 into our existing Secondary School tournament
structure. A new structure was proposed and accepted by the New Zealand Secondary School
Sports Council which included a 32 team top tier tournament, and amendments to entry dates,
locations of tournaments, and 2nd XI tournaments. This document is available from the Hockey
New Zealand website.
The DTR’s sole recommendation around the Secondary Schools tournament is that it be
included in the current player welfare rule around the number of tournaments an athlete can
participate in during a calendar year.
The current rule states a player can play in only 2 tournaments in a calendar year. Secondary
School tournaments are not included in the restriction of tournaments. In the interests of player
welfare, it was agreed that Secondary School tournaments be included in the rule.
NATIONAL SENIOR TOURNAMENT
The National Senior Tournament was held alongside the National Hockey League for the first
time in 2013. In both 2013 and 2014, entries remained steady at 17 teams. Hockey New
Zealand envisage this number growing over the next 2 years to 20 teams. This is based on the
number of initiatives which now run alongside this tournament including the selection of a
tournament team to compete in the National Affiliates tournament.
This tournament will continue to be held alongside the NHL. This will also be included in the
new player welfare rule.
MASTERS
No changes have been proposed for the timing of the National Masters tournament.
TOURNAMENTS STILL UNDER REVIEW
Hatch Cup and Collier Trophy
It has been agreed to take our time and undertake further research to ensure that we get the
competition and tournament structure for this age group right.
The key areas to address in this research will be:
- Providing an inclusive model for engaging more participants into our tournament
structure
- Extending the focus on appropriate age and stage development and competition
opportunities
- Balancing the needs for training and competition in this age group
- Providing a competition and tournament structure that caters for the differing levels in
development age that exist within this chronological age base
- Measure the number of ‘interactions’ per participant in this competition and
tournament
To enable this to happen, HNZ will:
- Work closely with Sport NZ to gain an understanding of what best practice exists
within other sports
- Work closely with Sport NZ to ascertain what is best for children at that age and
stage of development
- Undertake an independent research through one of the NZ Tertiary institutions who
specialize in childhood development and participation in athletes
- Research worldwide best practice with regard to Long Term Athlete Development
studies and what other leading hockey nations are doing in this space
- Interview children in this age group and understand the key motivations and drivers
for participation in hockey
- Video participants in small sided games and in full field hockey and measure the
number of interactions and the quality of those interactions on a hockey field for each
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE (NHL)
There are no proposed changes to the National Hockey League for 2016. Further discussion will
continue to be held as to the future of this tournament through the regional CEO network and
moving forward with the new HNZ Strategy for 2016 -2020
U18 VS U19 AGE GROUP
Hockey New Zealand will undertake research to measure the drop out rates for participants in
the 18-21 age group.
This will take the form of:
- What barriers are there to participation for this age group?
- What competition and tournament structures would retain these people in the sport
post leaving school?