More Trans-Tasman action for Vantage Black Sticks
The Vantage Black
Sticks will head to Perth to face the Hockeyroos and the Kookaburras in a
two-match series on 26 and 27 June.
Today’s news follows Friday’s announcement of a four match Sentinel Homes Trans-Tasman series in
Palmerston North later this month – the first internationals in New Zealand
since the FIH Pro League was interrupted by Covid-19 in March last year.
The two doubleheaders in Perth are the postponed FIH Pro League matches between
the two nations that were originally scheduled to be played around Anzac Day
this year.
Hockey New Zealand High Performance Director Tony Hanks said the Perth matches
would be the ideal next step in the teams’ Olympic preparations.
“We’ve maximised the opportunities we’ve had at home with the North v South
series and with the women playing men’s and boys’ teams.
“But the Black Sticks know there’s nothing that replaces quality match-play
against genuine international competition like Australia, and even better to
play them in their conditions.
Hanks added that the Perth series would allow the Black Sticks to replicate
some of what they’ll face in Tokyo in terms of having matches on consecutive
days and dealing with any Covid-19 counter-measures that may be in place at the
Olympics.
Meanwhile, tickets went on sale today for the four doubleheaders in Palmerston
North with tickets priced at $30 for adults and $20 for students/Gold Card
holders, with children 15 and under free. Series passes are also available.
Tickets can be purchased at www.blacksticksnz.co.nz
Match times have also been confirmed as follows:
Sentinel Homes
Trans-Tasman series
27 May – 1 June
Massey University, Palmerston North
Thursday 27 May
5.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras
7.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos
Friday 28 May
5.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras
7.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos
Sunday 30 May
1pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos
3pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras
Tuesday 1 June
5.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Women v Hockeyroos
7.30pm Vantage Black Sticks Men v Kookaburras
All eight New Zealand-based matches will be broadcast live on SKY Sport.
The Vantage Black Sticks squads of 18 for the Tokyo Olympics will be named in
the week after the Trans-Tasman series. Our squads for the Trans-Tasman series
will be named on Thursday.
FIH Pro League – Australia
v New Zealand
26-27 June
Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University
Saturday 26 June
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men12.30pm local time (4.30pm NZT)
Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women 3pm local time (7pm NZT)
Sunday 27 June
Kookaburras v Vantage Black Sticks Men12.30pm local time (4.30pm NZT)
Hockeyroos v Vantage Black Sticks Women 3pm local time (7pm NZT)
- May 11th, 2021 in
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