Hockey takes hold in Kaikoura

Hockey is on a high in Kaikoura - the seaside town building their sporting depth from the ground up.

For the first time, a Kaikoura side is competing in the six-team Hockey Marlborough college grade. Last year they fielded a year 7-8 team in the Blenheim-based competition, leading to a step up in 2021.

Kaikoura High School teacher Jo Fissenden, a driving force along with coach Carys Protheroe behind the college mixed side’s progression, described it as “a huge step forward for us”.

“Hockey in Kaikoura is growing like crazy.

“Hockey Marlborough have been amazing and supportive. In term one they ran a competition for year six and below and they got around 14 teams from the [Kaikoura] primary schools which is fantastic for the future. [Hockey Marlborough Development officer] Emma Sorenson-Brown’s input has been invaluable.

“There is really big interest in [hockey], lots of primary kids who want to play and it’s slowly growing at high school too, which is wonderful for those of us that like the sport.”

The Kaikoura college team have an added incentive to perform well. Last year their goalie, 13-year-old Sebastian Frost, died in an accident. Now the team wear orange socks, Sebastian’s favourite colour, in his memory.

The College grade began on Thursday, May 6, with Kaikoura, MBC 2nd XI, MGC 2nd XI, Arotea Kiwi, Richmond View and a Bohally Combined side taking part.

Jo said the Kaikoura side relished the weekly trek north.

“The kids here are enthusiastic and pretty dedicated, especially when you think about the amount of travel we do.

“Mind you, they have been doing the travel for a few years now and it doesn’t bother them.”

She said the rising standard of play from last season was a timely reminder of the need to keep improving.

“[The college grade] is a big step up, last week was quite eye-opening for some of them. It’s good for them to realise how much further they have to go and the skills they have to learn.”

Plans are afoot to field Kaikoura teams in both the year 7-8 and college grades next year, suggested Jo.

“We had 10 players in the summer six-a-side competition, then lost a few to various winter sports.

“Along with the college side, three year 7-8 players travel up on Wednesday to play for Blenheim teams, so we are confident that next year Kaikoura can field a team in both sections … which will be a big step forward for us.”