December 12, 2025 • 9 mins
The Central Falcons women's side are seeking back to back Premier Hockey League titles when facing the Tridents in Saturday's gold medal match in Auckland.
Adam Cooper previewed the match with Wellington-based goalkeeper Julia Gluyas, who's capping off a satisfying year of hockey having also made her Black Sticks debut in 2025.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
New Stoks'd be it is thirteen to nine or the
Premier Hockey League has Grand Finals day up in Auckland today.
Now the Falcons, which are the team that covers the
Lower North Island including Wellington. Here they're in the Grand
Final looking to go back to back again in twenty
twenty five when they're up against the Tridents, the Auckland
based team. So their final is set down for midday today.
(00:20):
Let's get into the Falcons camp now and one of
the Wellington based players, Julia Glias, of course is a
Black Sticks goalkeeper as well. Judy is with us now.
Morning to you, Julia and counting down to the finals day.
The team excited far for the big one at midday.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah, thanks Adam. We're definitely super excited a little bit
of pressure on us to be back back this year,
but yeah, we're definitely firing up at It's so awesome
to have this competition at home here in New Zealand.
So yeah, it's a been an exciting game and a
tough one, I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah, all right, so took us through the season. We
know the Falcons have been sort of, you know, one
of the more successful team the last couple of years
in this competitions. What has been sort of I guess
that the biggest chalne this year, that's that senior come
out is obviously qualifying for this final.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yeah, so we did have really successful season last year
and it's been a good run this year as well.
So we finished top of the table which is pretty awesome,
but definitely a bit of a mix up with the
teams this year, a few players swapping around, a few
players overseas, so overall has been quite an even competition
between all the teams which has made for some really
(01:25):
good matches. We've had four winds and two losses under
our belts hitting into the finals, so yeah, that'll be
exciting to see what we can pull out. We have
a few girls that are overseas at the Under twenty
one Junior World Cup at the moment, which is really
exciting for them, and all of the teams have a
few girls there, and we've also got some players back
(01:47):
from Australia who are over at the Hockey one competition,
So the teams have kind of changed a little bit
throughout the season with some of those players coming and going.
But it will be a good match up this weekend.
The Tridents also have a lot of strong players, so
we'll have to make sure we keep an eye on them.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I guess you are used to playing, you know, having
to quickly adapt to new groups of players. Obviously you've
had a bit of time and the Black Stirks in
New Zealand day this year, but you know when for
the Falcons, Yeah, players are being pulled in from all
parts of the Lower North Island, right How hard is
that at the start of the season just getting everyone
on the same wavelength. And I assume it means practicing
together doesn't happen all too often.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
No, totally, And that's actually kind of one of the
challenges for us as the Falcons is we are very
spread out. So the team's based in Auckland at the Trident,
in the South Island team the al Piners, they kind
of have quite big hubs in Auckland and Christi. Mostly
the team is together versus for us, who are quite
eavenly distributed through Wellington Hawk's Bay Pami. We've got a
few girls from christ It, some in Auckland, some from Tardanuki,
(02:48):
so we are very spread out. Luckily, a lot of
us have played together in the past a few of
us who those under twenty one New Zealand teams have
spent some time together. I think we can I enjoy
as well as we do have a bit of an
underdog mentality coming from all of these regions and I
think we definitely gel together because of that and a
lot of our girls that play together last year. But yeah,
(03:11):
it is a challenge for us, but I think really
really enjoy the reward knowing that we are at a
disadventist thing as we don't get those practices together, we
can still come together together as a group and stick
to a game plan and execute.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Obviously, in terms of being a goalkeeper, you're often you know,
you're blatantly judged on what the score line is. But
how do you sort of set aims for yourself through
the season and what have you been able to tick
off through the Premier Hockey League this year?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, totally. And I think there's a little bit of
extra pressure turn the PHR because every time someone scores
a field goal, they actually get an opportunity to score
a shootout as well, So it's a bit more pressure
because if they get one goal, you know they do
have an opportunity to get another but mindset is a
really big one. You know, there's a lot of pressure
as a goalkeeper, but it's all about, you know, just
(03:57):
doing what you can back there and being focused. You
have to be very confident and back yourself because you
know you've only really got a few chances to make
some big saves and that does have the big effect
on the school line. But I do, I do really
enjoy that, you know, like the pressure can definitely help
your performance. And again with the shootouts, I had my
(04:18):
first few goals scored against the last few Q and X,
so that was my first shootout. But I almost quite
enjoy that because it's kind of like a second a
second chance to deny them one. But it makes the
game exciting because the school life can change quite quickly
and you do have some high scoring games. But yeah,
it's great. And as a goalkeeper as well, you're always
you're still part of the team, so you it's really
(04:40):
important that you work at the unit with your defenders.
And when my defenders do a good job, it just
makes my job easy really, and you know, about ninety
percent of my job is what we call seven the
goals with my mouth, so I'm just yelling at them
to work hard. Do I lie mosey around at the back?
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Love it? And obviously you know finals, We all know
that hockey can get to penalty shootouts to decide it
a title. Do you put it much extra work in
that regard during a week when it's a big decider.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, totally. Yeah, Yeah, the shootouts is very exciting. It's
such a cool thing for hockey. And yeah, we will
be doing a little bit of scouting the players, so
we've seen a few shootouts there. So it's really important
to kind of know who's going to be taking the
shoot outs for the other teams because most of them
they'll have a favorite shootout that they like to do,
(05:27):
so it's good to kind of have no it's in
that and your head any barns And yeah, like you say,
just practicing it throughout the week with lots of different players. Yeah,
the more you do it, the more you just kind
of get used to it and kind of know, you know,
how long the eight chickens Sometimes it's it's fun or
shorter than you think.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
As a goalkeeper, do you want it to get to
that point because it's your time to shine and win
it for your team? Or do you prefer it to
just be done in regulation time.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Oh look, I think every goalkeeper different. I personally love
to just when outright. I think the suitoups are very exciting,
but I definitely prefer to just make the saves dury
in the game and we're not off the that, but
you know, if it does go to shootouts, then you
just got to embrace that, embrace the pressure and put
it all out there.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Awesome, awesome, hate. Just a bit about your time. Obviously,
you were lucky enough to head up to the US
to the college system there and had a very successful
stint playing field hockey up there in Boston. When you
look back now, and I guess it's something that a
lot of young athletes around Wellington, around New Zealand do
way up you look back now, are you sort of
proud you made that call, took that scholarship and head
(06:31):
it up there to sort of, you know, really help
progress your career at that.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Point, Yeah, totally. I think I was so lucky to
have the opportunity. They have a really awesome system over
there with so many resources and sports, and it was
really cool, like the opportunity to go over there and
be involved in that and you get some of that practice,
you know, playing in front of the TV, you know,
playing under a lot of pressure, doing quite a full
on training schedule. So that really helped me a lot
(06:56):
to kind of develop some of those skills. And it
was great too because you know, there summertimes winter for us,
and then I was able to come home and still
be involved with some New Zealand stuff during my summer
winter break, which is great. There's definitely you know, some
challenges over there to go and be away from family,
quite a different sports culture, but I think all of
those things definitely help you develop as a player. And
(07:19):
it's just a really cool, yeah, very cool experience overall
and kind of gives you, like inside too, like some
different things that you can take home.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Yeah, you know, yeah amazing. And this year it probably
feels like a wee while ago now, but the start
of twenty twenty five getting your chance to debut for
the women's Blacksticks, how special was that for you?
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Oh? That was so so special. Definitely such an awesome
moment and very cool to be playing against the USA
at home, especially after spending a lot of time there,
and to get the series when Ala that was so exciting.
It was really cool to just have some family and
friends there as well.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah, yeah, amazing. So how do you sort of see
yourself and you know, making sure you are staying in
that black sticks frame. I guess it's very competitive, isn't it.
We see the quality of the PHL. How do you
sort of feel you need to go about continually making
sure you're in the mix for that.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Yeah, totally, And it's definitely you know someday that you
have to keep chipping away at. We definitely have a
few challenges here in New Zealand because we are so
far away from a lot of those really good company
countries that we would like to play more games against.
And we definitely have you know, budget limitations in terms
of being able to pay to go and play overseas.
So we currently work with a decentralized program. So I
(08:34):
do all my training for the national team here in Wellington,
and it is really about having you know, a really
good plan with your coaches and just secking today every day.
And you have to be very self driven. But we
often talk about you know, just doing those one percent
every day, those one little things that to get better
and those up over time. Just having a structured plan
(08:54):
and that way, like when you go on tour, you
just can hit the ground running and you know, have
really good have a really good foundation to then go
and have these new challenges when you're playing a different
country overseas.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Yeah, awesome. Well, Julia, congratulations on your great hockey year.
All the very best. I know you're a passionate, welling Tinian,
so I know you'll be really hoping to get the
job done for the Falcons this weekend. All the very
best in the final and thanks for chatting here on
News Talks.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
You be awesome. Thank you so much. Yeah, we'll be
hoping to bring home that trophy.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
For more from News Talks EDB listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
New Stoks'd be it is thirteen to nine or the
Premier Hockey League has Grand Finals day up in Auckland today.
Now the Falcons, which are the team that covers the
Lower North Island including Wellington. Here they're in the Grand
Final looking to go back to back again in twenty
twenty five when they're up against the Tridents, the Auckland
based team. So their final is set down for midday today.
(00:20):
Let's get into the Falcons camp now and one of
the Wellington based players, Julia Glias, of course is a
Black Sticks goalkeeper as well. Judy is with us now.
Morning to you, Julia and counting down to the finals day.
The team excited far for the big one at midday.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah, thanks Adam. We're definitely super excited a little bit
of pressure on us to be back back this year,
but yeah, we're definitely firing up at It's so awesome
to have this competition at home here in New Zealand.
So yeah, it's a been an exciting game and a
tough one, I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah, all right, so took us through the season. We
know the Falcons have been sort of, you know, one
of the more successful team the last couple of years
in this competitions. What has been sort of I guess
that the biggest chalne this year, that's that senior come
out is obviously qualifying for this final.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yeah, so we did have really successful season last year
and it's been a good run this year as well.
So we finished top of the table which is pretty awesome,
but definitely a bit of a mix up with the
teams this year, a few players swapping around, a few
players overseas, so overall has been quite an even competition
between all the teams which has made for some really
(01:25):
good matches. We've had four winds and two losses under
our belts hitting into the finals, so yeah, that'll be
exciting to see what we can pull out. We have
a few girls that are overseas at the Under twenty
one Junior World Cup at the moment, which is really
exciting for them, and all of the teams have a
few girls there, and we've also got some players back
(01:47):
from Australia who are over at the Hockey one competition,
So the teams have kind of changed a little bit
throughout the season with some of those players coming and going.
But it will be a good match up this weekend.
The Tridents also have a lot of strong players, so
we'll have to make sure we keep an eye on them.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I guess you are used to playing, you know, having
to quickly adapt to new groups of players. Obviously you've
had a bit of time and the Black Stirks in
New Zealand day this year, but you know when for
the Falcons, Yeah, players are being pulled in from all
parts of the Lower North Island, right How hard is
that at the start of the season just getting everyone
on the same wavelength. And I assume it means practicing
together doesn't happen all too often.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
No, totally, And that's actually kind of one of the
challenges for us as the Falcons is we are very
spread out. So the team's based in Auckland at the Trident,
in the South Island team the al Piners, they kind
of have quite big hubs in Auckland and Christi. Mostly
the team is together versus for us, who are quite
eavenly distributed through Wellington Hawk's Bay Pami. We've got a
few girls from christ It, some in Auckland, some from Tardanuki,
(02:48):
so we are very spread out. Luckily, a lot of
us have played together in the past a few of
us who those under twenty one New Zealand teams have
spent some time together. I think we can I enjoy
as well as we do have a bit of an
underdog mentality coming from all of these regions and I
think we definitely gel together because of that and a
lot of our girls that play together last year. But yeah,
(03:11):
it is a challenge for us, but I think really
really enjoy the reward knowing that we are at a
disadventist thing as we don't get those practices together, we
can still come together together as a group and stick
to a game plan and execute.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Obviously, in terms of being a goalkeeper, you're often you know,
you're blatantly judged on what the score line is. But
how do you sort of set aims for yourself through
the season and what have you been able to tick
off through the Premier Hockey League this year?
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Yeah, totally. And I think there's a little bit of
extra pressure turn the PHR because every time someone scores
a field goal, they actually get an opportunity to score
a shootout as well, So it's a bit more pressure
because if they get one goal, you know they do
have an opportunity to get another but mindset is a
really big one. You know, there's a lot of pressure
as a goalkeeper, but it's all about, you know, just
(03:57):
doing what you can back there and being focused. You
have to be very confident and back yourself because you
know you've only really got a few chances to make
some big saves and that does have the big effect
on the school line. But I do, I do really
enjoy that, you know, like the pressure can definitely help
your performance. And again with the shootouts, I had my
(04:18):
first few goals scored against the last few Q and X,
so that was my first shootout. But I almost quite
enjoy that because it's kind of like a second a
second chance to deny them one. But it makes the
game exciting because the school life can change quite quickly
and you do have some high scoring games. But yeah,
it's great. And as a goalkeeper as well, you're always
you're still part of the team, so you it's really
(04:40):
important that you work at the unit with your defenders.
And when my defenders do a good job, it just
makes my job easy really, and you know, about ninety
percent of my job is what we call seven the
goals with my mouth, so I'm just yelling at them
to work hard. Do I lie mosey around at the back?
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Love it? And obviously you know finals, We all know
that hockey can get to penalty shootouts to decide it
a title. Do you put it much extra work in
that regard during a week when it's a big decider.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, totally. Yeah, Yeah, the shootouts is very exciting. It's
such a cool thing for hockey. And yeah, we will
be doing a little bit of scouting the players, so
we've seen a few shootouts there. So it's really important
to kind of know who's going to be taking the
shoot outs for the other teams because most of them
they'll have a favorite shootout that they like to do,
(05:27):
so it's good to kind of have no it's in
that and your head any barns And yeah, like you say,
just practicing it throughout the week with lots of different players. Yeah,
the more you do it, the more you just kind
of get used to it and kind of know, you know,
how long the eight chickens Sometimes it's it's fun or
shorter than you think.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
As a goalkeeper, do you want it to get to
that point because it's your time to shine and win
it for your team? Or do you prefer it to
just be done in regulation time.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Oh look, I think every goalkeeper different. I personally love
to just when outright. I think the suitoups are very exciting,
but I definitely prefer to just make the saves dury
in the game and we're not off the that, but
you know, if it does go to shootouts, then you
just got to embrace that, embrace the pressure and put
it all out there.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Awesome, awesome, hate. Just a bit about your time. Obviously,
you were lucky enough to head up to the US
to the college system there and had a very successful
stint playing field hockey up there in Boston. When you
look back now, and I guess it's something that a
lot of young athletes around Wellington, around New Zealand do
way up you look back now, are you sort of
proud you made that call, took that scholarship and head
(06:31):
it up there to sort of, you know, really help
progress your career at that.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Point, Yeah, totally. I think I was so lucky to
have the opportunity. They have a really awesome system over
there with so many resources and sports, and it was
really cool, like the opportunity to go over there and
be involved in that and you get some of that practice,
you know, playing in front of the TV, you know,
playing under a lot of pressure, doing quite a full
on training schedule. So that really helped me a lot
(06:56):
to kind of develop some of those skills. And it
was great too because you know, there summertimes winter for us,
and then I was able to come home and still
be involved with some New Zealand stuff during my summer
winter break, which is great. There's definitely you know, some
challenges over there to go and be away from family,
quite a different sports culture, but I think all of
those things definitely help you develop as a player. And
(07:19):
it's just a really cool, yeah, very cool experience overall
and kind of gives you, like inside too, like some
different things that you can take home.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Yeah, you know, yeah amazing. And this year it probably
feels like a wee while ago now, but the start
of twenty twenty five getting your chance to debut for
the women's Blacksticks, how special was that for you?
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Oh? That was so so special. Definitely such an awesome
moment and very cool to be playing against the USA
at home, especially after spending a lot of time there,
and to get the series when Ala that was so exciting.
It was really cool to just have some family and
friends there as well.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah, yeah, amazing. So how do you sort of see
yourself and you know, making sure you are staying in
that black sticks frame. I guess it's very competitive, isn't it.
We see the quality of the PHL. How do you
sort of feel you need to go about continually making
sure you're in the mix for that.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Yeah, totally, And it's definitely you know someday that you
have to keep chipping away at. We definitely have a
few challenges here in New Zealand because we are so
far away from a lot of those really good company
countries that we would like to play more games against.
And we definitely have you know, budget limitations in terms
of being able to pay to go and play overseas.
So we currently work with a decentralized program. So I
(08:34):
do all my training for the national team here in Wellington,
and it is really about having you know, a really
good plan with your coaches and just secking today every day.
And you have to be very self driven. But we
often talk about you know, just doing those one percent
every day, those one little things that to get better
and those up over time. Just having a structured plan
(08:54):
and that way, like when you go on tour, you
just can hit the ground running and you know, have
really good have a really good foundation to then go
and have these new challenges when you're playing a different
country overseas.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Yeah, awesome. Well, Julia, congratulations on your great hockey year.
All the very best. I know you're a passionate, welling Tinian,
so I know you'll be really hoping to get the
job done for the Falcons this weekend. All the very
best in the final and thanks for chatting here on
News Talks.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
You be awesome. Thank you so much. Yeah, we'll be
hoping to bring home that trophy.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
For more from News Talks EDB listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
go with our podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Betrayal: Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a brand new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack. And make sure to check out Seasons 1-4 of Betrayal, along with Betrayal Weekly Season 1.