HOCKEY NEW ZEALAND 2021 NHC-Cancelled

Hockey NZ cancels National Championship due to COVID-19
Hockey New Zealand (HNZ) has made the decision to cancel the 2021 Ford National Hockey
Championship (NHC) due to take place in Tauranga on the 14-20 November.
Since postponing the tournament from its original date in September, HNZ has worked hard to make the
new dates work. However, Ken Maplesden, GM – Community & Events, has indicated that despite best
efforts, the ongoing challenges posed by the current COVID-19 outbreak meant the new dates were also
unworkable.
“The future uncertainty regarding a return to play for teams in the Auckland, Northland, and Waikato
regions as well as the current border restrictions in place, has unfortunately meant that cancellation is
the obvious course of action.”
Maplesden acknowledged the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes from all the participating
associations and partners, in particular Tauranga Hockey, Tauranga City Council, TECT, Trillian Trust, Ford
and many other local supporters.
“We appreciate this news is extremely disappointing for all involved, including our players; coaches;
officials; association staff; and commercial and funding partners. We are excited that we can return to
Tauranga in February for the National Masters Tournament.”
HNZ is looking forward to a full year of delivering world-class international and domestic events, including
the Ford NHC, in 2022.