NZ Māori Hockey5s Make History in Hong Kong with Gold and Bronze Medals!
The “Into The Future” themed HKFC Hockey 5s in Hong Kong provided an unforgettable Easter weekend for New Zealand Māori Hockey. Both the Wāhine and Tāne teams showed incredible skill, determination, and “mana,” leading to a historic gold medal for the Wāhine and a hard-fought bronze for the Tāne.
The energy was electric as the NZ Māori Hockey5s squads arrived in Hong Kong, ready to test their skill at the highest level of the game. They didn’t disappoint, leaving a strong impression on the first-ever tournament.
Day 1 & 2: Setting the Pace and Building Momentum
The Tāne team wasted no time in making their presence known, starting their tournament with a big 10-5 victory before following up with an impressive 5-1 win. They continued their winning form on day two, with tough and skilled play leading to a 6-1 victory over Aussie B and a 4-2 win against the Hong Kong Barbarians. Their consistent efforts saw them finish at the top of their group.
Not to be outdone, the Wāhine team delivered great performances from the start, beating the Aussies 12-5 and the Hong Kong Barbarians 9-4 in exciting games on day one. They were simply unstoppable on day two, delivering two powerful performances that left people watching in awe. A stunning 15-1 win over Aussie B was followed by a dominant 12-1 victory against Aussie A. These amazing results pushed them into the final!
Day 3: The Excitement of the Knockouts and Medal Glory
Day three arrived with the higher stakes of the semi-finals and the chance for medal glory.
The Tāne team faced a tough opponent in their semi-final against the Hong Kong Barbarians. In a gripping battle, they fought with immense heart but were just beaten 6-5. This set them up for the bronze medal playoff.
The Wāhine team, having been the best in their group, went straight to the final game: the gold medal final.
Not discouraged by their semi-final loss, the Tāne team showed incredible toughness in the bronze medal match against Aussie A. They dug deep and secured a well-deserved 5-3 victory, earning them the bronze medal and a place on the winners’ stand.
The Wāhine team gave a brilliant performance in the gold medal final against the Hong Kong Barbarians. They controlled the game with accuracy and skill, leading to a strong 8-3 victory that secured them the gold medal and the title of champions!
A Legacy of Success and Pride:
The achievements of both the Wāhine and Tāne teams at the HKFC Hockey5s are proof of their dedication, talent, and the strong support of their families and wider community. They have truly made New Zealand Māori Hockey proud.
A Message of Gratitude and “Mana”:
Kahu Ripia shared heartfelt thoughts on the historic trip: “Kia whakahihi matou ki a tatou, so proud of everyone involved with the teams. Many thanks to those whanau who travelled to Hong Kong to support the teams. A special thanks to our managers and coaches, DK & Ru, Mark & Vanessa, for their countless hours of preparation before, during and after to make this trip succeed. Our umpire/goalie, Trey, good luck as you look forward to pursuing a career with umpiring through FIH. And especially to the players, for how they committed themselves, the ‘mana’ in which they represented not only NZ Maori Hockey but their whanau, hapu, iwi & rohe on an international stage, and a big mihi to the Iwi Toa 5’s committee for making sure this historic trip took place & succeeded. Kia tau nga manaakitanga o te kaihanga ki a tatou katoa, ka nui te aroha ki a tatou, mauriora.”
