Midlands Hockey

New Zealand National Hockey League 2007

The 2007 National Hockey League (NHL) saw the Midlands Men's team follow in the footsteps of the women's success of 2006 with a finish in the top four. The Men narrowly missed a finals berth with a golden goal loss to Canterbury in the semi-final and ended up fourth overall.

The Women's side maintained their top four placing from 2006 with a fourth place finish in 2007.

The success of our teams in the 2007 NHL was illustrated with a number of Black Sticks and Junior Black Sticks selections. Gemma Flynn was rewarded for her outstanding NHL performance with selection into the Black Sticks squad. Here she will be joined by Kate Mahon who is fast approaching 50 test caps for her country.

The Black Sticks Men's team are well represented by Midlands players with Casey Henwood, Lloyd Stephenson and Richard Petherick all gaining selection for the training squad leading towards the Olympic Qualifying tournament to be held in Albany, February 2nd - 10th, 2008. Check out www.hockeynz.co.nz for tickets and further details.

In the junior ranks Raynesh Smith has been selected for the Junior Black Sticks to tour Malaysia this year as part of their preparation for the 2009 Junior World Cup.

The talent of our Midlands NHL teams far exceeds the Black Sticks players, which bodes well for future success.

The 2007 Midlands Teams
Women
Lorene Brake (GP - AKL)
Stacey Brannigan
Shannon Cochrane
Kiki Collott d'Escury (IGP - NED)
Kathryn Drew
Charlotte Edwards (GP - AKL)
Gemma Flynn (NZD)
Shiloh Gloyn
Georgina Nation
Kate Mahon (HPD) (NZ)
Robbie Matthews
Tina McKenzie
Cynthia McNabb
Jemma Overmire
Fleur van Dooren (IGP - NED)
Di Weavers
Lymarah Wharerau (NZD)
Rebekah Williams (GP - AKL)

Men
Dave Adams
Joseph Bartholomew (GP - NHR) (NZD)
Simon Brill (GP - NHR)
Lincoln Churchill
Ben Creese (IGP - AUS)
James Hawley
Matt Hawley
Casey Henwood (NZ)
Tony Hopping
Andrew Lawson
Matt Luxford
Richard Petherick (NZ)
Sandeep Puna
Darren Smith
Raynesh Smith
Tim Smith
Phil Stahr (IGP - GER)
Lloyd Stephenson (C) (NZ)