Black Sticks pull out of international tournaments

New Zealand hockey has withdrawn its teams from all international competition until at least June next year because of ongoing travel restrictions around covid-19.

It means both the Black Sticks men’s and women’s teams won’t compete in next year’s Hockey Pro League.

“The current covid-19 situation and the unlikelihood of any change to travel restrictions soon, combined with health and wellbeing considerations, mean it is just not possible to participate in these events,” Hockey NZ chief executive Anthony Crummy said yesterday.

It also impacts the New Zealand Under-21 sides who had World Cups in India [men] and South Africa [women], which are set for November and December respectively.

Australia have also pulled out pf international play.

Season three of the Hockey Pro League would have seen New Zealand host India, China, and the Netherlands in February before both Blacks Sticks teams head to the Americas and Europe to play several top-ranked nations in April and May.

However, it was agreed by all participating nations and the sports international governing body, FIH, that because of ongoing travel restrictions, it was simply not possible for teams to travel to and from New Zealand to compete.

The withdrawal from international play will hurt the Black Sticks as they buildup to July’s World Cups in Spain and the Netherland and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“We have been working closely with Hockey Australia... and there is certainly a strong intent from both parties to facilitate trans-tasman opportunities alongside domestic programmes through the back half of 2021 and into 2022.”

New Zealand is due to host the fourth edition of the Hockey Pro League which is due to start in November 2022.