Tournament great experience

HOCKEY

LYTTON High School student Kacey Rogers had one of the best seats — albeit standing — in the house during the FIH men’s Champions Trophy hockey tournament at North Harbour Stadium.
The 17-year-old, who plays “anywhere” in the forward line for Lytton in the local high school competition and Paikea in the Poverty Bay premier women’s league, was one of 36 ball attendants for the eight-day tournament.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Rogers, who was involved in seven games including the 3-3- thriller pool game between New Zealand and the Netherlands and the bronze medal game between the same teams, won by the Dutch.
“You’re not supposed to get emotionally involved as it could affect your concentration but it was great when New Zealand came back from 3-0 down.”
Rogers applied through the Hockey New Zealand website after her uncle Darryll Hollamby, who lives in Puhoi and plays hockey for a Hibiscus Coast team, told his niece about the possibility of being picked as ball attendant.
“I filled in the application form on the website saying why you should be considered and I just put that I love all aspects of hockey,” said Rogers, a member of the Lytton High School mixed team who this year completed the historic feat of winning back-to-back North Island secondary schools hockey titles.
“I also put in that I had played hockey since I was nine and had refereed intermediate and junior games in Gisborne.”
“I didn’t think I would get in but I hoped they would go for someone outside Auckland. The other thing that helped me was that I was available for the whole tournament.”
Rogers stayed with her uncle, who took her to the games.
“We had to be there an hour before the kick-off to help the teams practise.
“Both teams practised on the same field and we had to stand on the halfway line to return the balls. The first games started at midday, apart from the final day when it was 10.30am, and the last games started at 6pm.”
Rogers said having her photograph taken with two of her favourite players, New Zealand goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex and one of Australia’s four captains, Eddie Ockenden, was one of the highlights.
“All hockey goalkeepers put their bodies on the line every game but Kyle goes the extra mile.”
Ockenden scored the only goal of the final against Spain.
“The New Zealand and Australia players were the most approachable after games,” said Rogers, who returned with autographed miniature hockey sticks, a medal for being a ball attendant and two uniforms.
“It was awesome watching some of the best players in the world up close and then having access to them after the games.
“There was a village green where spectators could get autographs and talk to the players, but often the players went upstairs to get something to eat and as ball attendants we were allowed to go there and talk to them.”
Although a big fan of the Black Sticks and Australia, Rogers said she liked the more attacking style of Germany.
“I was a flag bearer for Germany when they played New Zealand and whereas a lot of teams concentrate on keeping possession Germany were more direct.
“As a forward I like that, getting the ball up to the forwards quicker.”
Unfortunately for Rogers, who plans to be a vet after she leaves school, any chance of putting into practice what she learned during the eight-team tournament has to be put on hold as she is due to go in for an operation on her right knee on Tuesday.
Recovery time is estimated to be six months.
“ I want to be back playing for Lytton in next year’s mixed tournament as that will be my last time with the team.”