November 15, 2024 • 10 mins
New Zealand’s premier hockey league has gotten a bit of a redesign.
Hockey NZ sees the new league as the pinnacle of domestic hockey, representing an exciting addition to the existing hockey pathway and offering high-level competition for both men and women coming through the ranks.
Piney caught up with former Black Sticks captain Peter Miskimmin to discuss the new league's origins and innovations.
“We have been a bit barren of top flight elite hockey, provincial hockey, in New Zealand for quite some time.”
“So this is really a play from New Zealand Hockey to create more products and more content for New Zealand Hockey fans to, to see and experience.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
News Talks ABB. The Premier Hockey League is New Zealand's
new elite domestic field hockey competition. It involves four rival
franchises playing over six weekends, culminating with the finals day
on the seventh of December at North Harbor. It's round
three this weekend. Find out a bit more about this competition,
it's origins and that sort of thing. Let's bring in
(00:33):
former Blacksticks legend double Olympian Peter Muskimmon. Peter, thanks for
joining this. Tell us about the origins of this Premiere
Hockey League. How did it all come about here?
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Hi?
Speaker 4 (00:45):
How are you hey? Thanks so much for the opportunity. Yes,
it's hugely exciting for the hockey community.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
We've been a bit baron.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
Of top flight elite hockey provincial hockey in New Zealand
for quite some time.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
So this is really a play for from New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Hockey to create more products and more content for New
Zealand hockey fans to to see an experience, and it's
really all about strengthening the pathway and opportunities for aspiring
young players on their.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Pathway towards the Black Sticks and beyond.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
So it's a redesigned it's it's four franchises, one from
the Lower and from the South Island called the Old Piners,
one from the Lower North Island which is the Falcons,
there's one through the through the Middle which is the Mavericks,
and then there is the Tridents, which takes in all
of Auckland and Northland. So they are the four franchises
(01:41):
and they're doing battle right now in the in the
inaugural PHL.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
How were the squads selected for each of the franchises, Peter.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Ye, Most of the players self determined there the province
of origin or where they grew up and the old
story it's mate on mates, so a lot of them
want to go back and play for those that you
know where that where they came from and where they
originally from. Equally, it's created a real opportunity, I know,
(02:09):
the likes of the South Island.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
It brings all the guys.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
From Otago and Canoby together that normally would battle it away.
They're on the same roster, same team. It's very much
the same as elsewhere. And the Falcons, you know, it's
bringing the Wellington, the Manhatu and the Hawks Bay together
in a really unique way and that's quite novel. And
actually all the players are very excited about about playing
together when typically they fought each other on the field.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Now, one of the unique features of the Premier Hockey
League is the private ownership component to it. Can can
you unpack that a little bit for us?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, I think this is all.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Obviously, most sports have gone down pathway of looking at
local ownership and a local investment in that pathway and
in the future. So Hockey news Illand has gone down
that route as well. So created four franchises. So for
locally owned clubs, if you like, have been created. You
(03:09):
know that the alp Piners, the Falcons, the Mavericks and
the Tridents, that they are all uniquely owned, privately owned.
That that's got philanthropic investment and it's got commercial investment.
So each of those franchises has to pull together quite
a significant amount of dollars to make the PHL work
(03:29):
this year. The really significant thing is the players have
all agreed not to be paid, and that's significant. Otherwise
we would never have been able to get this the
league up and going and so that's their contribution and
to to this league, and all of the players wanted
this league. That was one of the highest priority of
all the Black Sticks coming out was a top flight league.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
So those four.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Franchises have now been created and they are busily developing,
you know, their financial models and getting local investment and
to support the talent in the area a right.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
So we've had two rounds already, Peter, who's making the
I guess you'd call it the early running and the
men's and women's competitions.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
If I take the.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Men's to start with the Alpineers, the South Island team,
you know, they boast about twelve to or more Black
Sticks current Black Sticks players in it. They're very very
strong at the moment. They've had two wins so far,
so they are topping the pool. And the other three
teams are all sitting on two points, so Elpiners have
(04:36):
eight and Trent's, Mavericks and Falcons all have two where
they are all effectively drawing and cutting each other's throats
if you like, and that's allowed the old pine Is
to jump ahead and the woman's it's a little bit tighter.
The Falcons are on six points. They've had a win
and a drawer and on that drawer there is a
shootout at the end of that and they've won that
(04:59):
shootout which gives them an extra point. So they're one
point ahead of the Tridents from Auckland and Northland and
two points for the Alpiners and one for the Mavericks.
So a lot to play for this week in as
shaping forward to the finals week in which one plays
too and both men and women buying out for the title,
(05:21):
the PHL title.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
As far as the scoring system is concerned, Peter, I
understand there's a slight innovation as far as that's concerned
as well. Can you tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Yeah, this is all about making it more exciting for
fans who come along.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
What Hockey New Zealand's.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Done is adopted a experimental rule which Australia have been
playing with, which is when you score a field goal
you get the opportunity to take a penalty shootout for
an extra point. So if you score a field goal,
the person who scored the goal actually has a shootout
with the goalkeeper and so you can go from one
point to two points very quickly, so that dramatically changes
(06:00):
the nature of the game. It slightly emphasizes field goals
over corners. Is only worth one goal, but you can
double up with a field goal with two, so the
game changes. The mood of the game changes very quickly.
If you can get a field goal and a shootout point,
you know, you can catch up to the opposition very
(06:21):
quickly if you're behind.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
You've mentioned it a couple of times, Peter, but how
much do you expect this competition will help our national teams,
our mens and women's Black Sticks.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Well, I think it's too far one. It does create
a pathway. It does show.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Young kids as they coming up what they need to
do and where they need to go. If you want
to make the pathway to the Black Sticks, you definitely
need to have a strong showing in one of these
PHL teams. So these are our best players right through
the country. They are seeded with some international players. There
will be more international players coming in over time, you know,
(06:55):
hopefully opening up to more and Asia players coming in
and providing a link into Asia as well. So there's
great ambition in terms of the roster of those teams.
But what the players are saying is they definitely want
higher quality domestic elite competition in New Zealand and this
(07:15):
will will provide it. But equally it provides all the
fans and all the young kids the opportunity of seeing
the heroes playing.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
They just don't get enough of them.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Many of our men and women are now playing offshore
in Europe and this is an opportunity for them to
come home in a window that works for their contracting
in Europe, allows them to come home and play. And
so we again to see all of these top players
battling it out and the young kids are absolutely loving it.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Absolutely And the vision, Peter moving forward, I know we've
only just started, but you talked about ambition. Is the
vision moving forward to have more teams, longer season, what
have you sort of Has that been discussed at all?
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Yeah, Well, the opportunity here is we have a free
to wear deal with TV and Z Plus, which really
means that the games can be experienced and seen by
more fans and more people, which is great. I think
the whole financial viability is the critical issue here. Substantial
investment from the hockey community already coming in, so that will,
(08:17):
you know, depending on that, will will dictate how much
the competition can expand but I think for the next
three or four years that will be the four but
it may well be more quality players from offshore coaches
as well as players coming into the league to really
showcase it and make it a fantastic opportunity for people
(08:37):
to get along and watch hockey.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
It's best, all right.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Just before you go, I just want to ask about
the decision or the announcement of the scale back twenty
twenty six Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Hockey has missed out
on the schedule there. I know that there's a great
hope that it will return in twenty thirty. How much
of a blow though, is it to the sport here
to miss out on the schedule for Glasgow, Well, it
(09:01):
wasn't unsurprising.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
I think we, you know, like a number of other sports,
could see the writing on the wall. I mean, it
was fantastic against Scotland has picked up the thread of
the Commonwealth Games after what happened in Victoria and Melbourne,
and it's just wonderful for athletes to have a Commonwealth Games,
even though it's scaled down. I don't think the Commonwealth
Federation see the Commonwealth Games being a cutdown version.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
It certainly sees it as a different version going forward.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
So like all other sports that are not on the
program for Glasgow, there is an opportunity of coming.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Back in later years, but it is a bit of
a blow.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
It is a window of opportunity that players are available.
So there are conversations going on now around the world
around maybe having a Commonwealth tournament or tournament with Commonwealth
countries in it, you know, to provide the opportunity for
those hockey players who typically would be at the Comwealth
Games to have that same sort of competition, be it
(10:00):
at a sports specific tournament rather than.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
A multi sporting event like the Commonwealth Games.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
All right, well, look for to more progress there. In
the meantime the Premier Hockey League. We will let our
listeners know in a second where they can watch the
action across this weekend and beyond. Peter really appreciate you
taking the time to fill listen.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Great one, Thank you very much for the time.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
No, thank you for yours. Peter, Peter Muskim in their
former blackstick, a double Olympian and a driving force still
in the game of hockey around our country. Yes, so
the Premier Hockey League we're into round three matches today
at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington. In fact, they're
already underway. The Falcons and l Piners, that's two of
the teams, are games between the men's and women's sites,
(10:39):
and then tomorrow the Mavericks and the Tridents at Blake
Park and Todonga with games starting at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
All of the fixtures and other information you want to
find us on their website Premiere Hockey League dot co
dot nz.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
News Talks ABB. The Premier Hockey League is New Zealand's
new elite domestic field hockey competition. It involves four rival
franchises playing over six weekends, culminating with the finals day
on the seventh of December at North Harbor. It's round
three this weekend. Find out a bit more about this competition,
it's origins and that sort of thing. Let's bring in
(00:33):
former Blacksticks legend double Olympian Peter Muskimmon. Peter, thanks for
joining this. Tell us about the origins of this Premiere
Hockey League. How did it all come about here?
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Hi?
Speaker 4 (00:45):
How are you hey? Thanks so much for the opportunity. Yes,
it's hugely exciting for the hockey community.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
We've been a bit baron.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
Of top flight elite hockey provincial hockey in New Zealand
for quite some time.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
So this is really a play for from New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Hockey to create more products and more content for New
Zealand hockey fans to to see an experience, and it's
really all about strengthening the pathway and opportunities for aspiring
young players on their.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Pathway towards the Black Sticks and beyond.
Speaker 4 (01:19):
So it's a redesigned it's it's four franchises, one from
the Lower and from the South Island called the Old Piners,
one from the Lower North Island which is the Falcons,
there's one through the through the Middle which is the Mavericks,
and then there is the Tridents, which takes in all
of Auckland and Northland. So they are the four franchises
(01:41):
and they're doing battle right now in the in the
inaugural PHL.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
How were the squads selected for each of the franchises, Peter.
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Ye, Most of the players self determined there the province
of origin or where they grew up and the old
story it's mate on mates, so a lot of them
want to go back and play for those that you
know where that where they came from and where they
originally from. Equally, it's created a real opportunity, I know,
(02:09):
the likes of the South Island.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
It brings all the guys.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
From Otago and Canoby together that normally would battle it away.
They're on the same roster, same team. It's very much
the same as elsewhere. And the Falcons, you know, it's
bringing the Wellington, the Manhatu and the Hawks Bay together
in a really unique way and that's quite novel. And
actually all the players are very excited about about playing
together when typically they fought each other on the field.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Now, one of the unique features of the Premier Hockey
League is the private ownership component to it. Can can
you unpack that a little bit for us?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Yeah, I think this is all.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Obviously, most sports have gone down pathway of looking at
local ownership and a local investment in that pathway and
in the future. So Hockey news Illand has gone down
that route as well. So created four franchises. So for
locally owned clubs, if you like, have been created. You
(03:09):
know that the alp Piners, the Falcons, the Mavericks and
the Tridents, that they are all uniquely owned, privately owned.
That that's got philanthropic investment and it's got commercial investment.
So each of those franchises has to pull together quite
a significant amount of dollars to make the PHL work
(03:29):
this year. The really significant thing is the players have
all agreed not to be paid, and that's significant. Otherwise
we would never have been able to get this the
league up and going and so that's their contribution and
to to this league, and all of the players wanted
this league. That was one of the highest priority of
all the Black Sticks coming out was a top flight league.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
So those four.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Franchises have now been created and they are busily developing,
you know, their financial models and getting local investment and
to support the talent in the area a right.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
So we've had two rounds already, Peter, who's making the
I guess you'd call it the early running and the
men's and women's competitions.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
If I take the.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Men's to start with the Alpineers, the South Island team,
you know, they boast about twelve to or more Black
Sticks current Black Sticks players in it. They're very very
strong at the moment. They've had two wins so far,
so they are topping the pool. And the other three
teams are all sitting on two points, so Elpiners have
(04:36):
eight and Trent's, Mavericks and Falcons all have two where
they are all effectively drawing and cutting each other's throats
if you like, and that's allowed the old pine Is
to jump ahead and the woman's it's a little bit tighter.
The Falcons are on six points. They've had a win
and a drawer and on that drawer there is a
shootout at the end of that and they've won that
(04:59):
shootout which gives them an extra point. So they're one
point ahead of the Tridents from Auckland and Northland and
two points for the Alpiners and one for the Mavericks.
So a lot to play for this week in as
shaping forward to the finals week in which one plays
too and both men and women buying out for the title,
(05:21):
the PHL title.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
As far as the scoring system is concerned, Peter, I
understand there's a slight innovation as far as that's concerned
as well. Can you tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Yeah, this is all about making it more exciting for
fans who come along.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
What Hockey New Zealand's.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Done is adopted a experimental rule which Australia have been
playing with, which is when you score a field goal
you get the opportunity to take a penalty shootout for
an extra point. So if you score a field goal,
the person who scored the goal actually has a shootout
with the goalkeeper and so you can go from one
point to two points very quickly, so that dramatically changes
(06:00):
the nature of the game. It slightly emphasizes field goals
over corners. Is only worth one goal, but you can
double up with a field goal with two, so the
game changes. The mood of the game changes very quickly.
If you can get a field goal and a shootout point,
you know, you can catch up to the opposition very
(06:21):
quickly if you're behind.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
You've mentioned it a couple of times, Peter, but how
much do you expect this competition will help our national teams,
our mens and women's Black Sticks.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
Well, I think it's too far one. It does create
a pathway. It does show.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Young kids as they coming up what they need to
do and where they need to go. If you want
to make the pathway to the Black Sticks, you definitely
need to have a strong showing in one of these
PHL teams. So these are our best players right through
the country. They are seeded with some international players. There
will be more international players coming in over time, you know,
(06:55):
hopefully opening up to more and Asia players coming in
and providing a link into Asia as well. So there's
great ambition in terms of the roster of those teams.
But what the players are saying is they definitely want
higher quality domestic elite competition in New Zealand and this
(07:15):
will will provide it. But equally it provides all the
fans and all the young kids the opportunity of seeing
the heroes playing.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
They just don't get enough of them.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Many of our men and women are now playing offshore
in Europe and this is an opportunity for them to
come home in a window that works for their contracting
in Europe, allows them to come home and play. And
so we again to see all of these top players
battling it out and the young kids are absolutely loving it.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Absolutely And the vision, Peter moving forward, I know we've
only just started, but you talked about ambition. Is the
vision moving forward to have more teams, longer season, what
have you sort of Has that been discussed at all?
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Yeah, Well, the opportunity here is we have a free
to wear deal with TV and Z Plus, which really
means that the games can be experienced and seen by
more fans and more people, which is great. I think
the whole financial viability is the critical issue here. Substantial
investment from the hockey community already coming in, so that will,
(08:17):
you know, depending on that, will will dictate how much
the competition can expand but I think for the next
three or four years that will be the four but
it may well be more quality players from offshore coaches
as well as players coming into the league to really
showcase it and make it a fantastic opportunity for people
(08:37):
to get along and watch hockey.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
It's best, all right.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Just before you go, I just want to ask about
the decision or the announcement of the scale back twenty
twenty six Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Hockey has missed out
on the schedule there. I know that there's a great
hope that it will return in twenty thirty. How much
of a blow though, is it to the sport here
to miss out on the schedule for Glasgow, Well, it
(09:01):
wasn't unsurprising.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
I think we, you know, like a number of other sports,
could see the writing on the wall. I mean, it
was fantastic against Scotland has picked up the thread of
the Commonwealth Games after what happened in Victoria and Melbourne,
and it's just wonderful for athletes to have a Commonwealth Games,
even though it's scaled down. I don't think the Commonwealth
Federation see the Commonwealth Games being a cutdown version.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
It certainly sees it as a different version going forward.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
So like all other sports that are not on the
program for Glasgow, there is an opportunity of coming.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
Back in later years, but it is a bit of
a blow.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
It is a window of opportunity that players are available.
So there are conversations going on now around the world
around maybe having a Commonwealth tournament or tournament with Commonwealth
countries in it, you know, to provide the opportunity for
those hockey players who typically would be at the Comwealth
Games to have that same sort of competition, be it
(10:00):
at a sports specific tournament rather than.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
A multi sporting event like the Commonwealth Games.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
All right, well, look for to more progress there. In
the meantime the Premier Hockey League. We will let our
listeners know in a second where they can watch the
action across this weekend and beyond. Peter really appreciate you
taking the time to fill listen.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Great one, Thank you very much for the time.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
No, thank you for yours. Peter, Peter Muskim in their
former blackstick, a double Olympian and a driving force still
in the game of hockey around our country. Yes, so
the Premier Hockey League we're into round three matches today
at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington. In fact, they're
already underway. The Falcons and l Piners, that's two of
the teams, are games between the men's and women's sites,
(10:39):
and then tomorrow the Mavericks and the Tridents at Blake
Park and Todonga with games starting at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
All of the fixtures and other information you want to
find us on their website Premiere Hockey League dot co
dot nz.
Speaker 1 (10:54):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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