AN UPDATE FOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATIONS This weeks’ Association Newsletter includes details around the New Coaching Resource, Community Engagement Information as well as the venue for the 2021 National Masters. BALANCE IS BETTER NATIONAL SPORT SEASON GUIDELINES Sport New Zealand has put together national guidelines as a direct response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Please take the time to look through these guidelines and use them to shape what community hockey will look like in your Association for 2020. SEASON TRANSITION GUIDELINESSTATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE VANTAGE BLACK STICKS WOMEN’S TEAMFollowing the resignation of Vantage Black Sticks Women’s Assistant Coach Katie Glynn, Hockey NZ wants to reiterate that Katie has decided to resign from her role to take a break from professional hockey. Katie is a valued member of our coaching whanau and we wish her well with her future endeavours. We write in response to recent media speculation regarding the resignation of our Assistant Coach Katie Glynn. The media has alleged that Katie is in some way working against positive changes within our environment. We as Black Sticks players absolutely refute these allegations. As she did when she was a player, Katie holds herself to the highest standards as a coach and as a person. Her work ethic, dedication and passion for our team and its success are undeniable. We are extremely saddened that Katie has resigned from a role she loves and excels in. The Black Sticks Women have lost an integral element of our team, and offer Katie our full support going forward. Signed by all 24 players in the current Black Sticks Women’s squad HOCKEY NEW ZEALAND IS AFTER YOUR COMMUNITIES FEEDBACK Hockey New Zealand is currently undertaking research amongst our community and trying to find out how engaged our community is with the Vantage Black Sticks teams. This research is essential for us as we aim to grow our sport across the country and deliver quality international matches. Could we please request you share the below link with your community and clubs and ask for them to get your participants to provide us this important information. CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY LINK 2021 NATIONAL MASTERS TO BE HELD IN TAURANGA The 2021 National Masters Tournament will be held in Tauranga for the first time since 2005. The tournament will be held from Sunday the 28th February and will run through until Saturday the 6th March.