December 6, 2024 • 7 mins
The Premier Hockey League is Aotearoa’s elite domestic hockey competition. An annual contest with the best players – four rival franchises in battle for national supremacy.
Played across six weekends starting on 2nd/3rd November 2024, it will culminate in a classic hockey finals day on December 7th in Auckland, North Harbour.
Falcons captain Dylan Thomas joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the final against the Alpiners.
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 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Wildegrave from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
B nineteen after seven on the All Sport Breakfast. They're
coming up today, Huge day four hockey, Massive day on
the turf at the North Harbor Hockey Stadium. Four huge
games coming up, including the men's final set to go
at seven fifteen this evening. It is between the Alpiners
from the South Island and the Falcons, who is the
(00:33):
central conglomerate if you can call them that, And we're
joined by the captain of the men's Falcons. Cider's name
is Dylan Thomas.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good morning morning, Darcy. Here you going.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I'm doing very well. Burg day for you when it
comes to hockey and the top of the tree, because
that's basically we were at for the Premiere Hockey League.
You've got a final coming up this afternoon to try
and pick up gold.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Absolutely finals footy against the Alpiners, so we owe them one.
We've played them two times previously. We've had a convincing
loss and then we've had a pretty gutsy draw. So
for us it's the next step up and to get
the gold.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Well, you've got your record you've lost a couple of games,
They've lost a couple of games, You've lost a handful.
So that would make me think that they're out and
out favorites.
Speaker 5 (01:23):
Is that right done? Disagree with me?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I'd like to depend who you support.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
I suppose, so we're yeah, where I guess you could
say we're underdogs, but again, like I said, where, we've
taken it to every team. We've had losses, draws and wins,
so we deserve to be in the final. You know,
we've done the work to be here and now it's
just again taking it to these guys and holding nothing back.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
This competition's been going in and out for a few
years now. Obviously got savaged by COVID like everything else did,
but we've what a stage now? Do you think that
we're settled into it and the league is developing well
and found a good place.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
I think so.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
I think it's really important for our domestic competition to
have of something like a PHL, so it has been
missing the last few years, but with some big sponsors,
some big supporters backing us, it should be the start
of something pretty special for hockey in New Zealand.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
How well, isn't engaged in.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Do you think as far as there's the public and
media or everything else, is it getting some traction?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Absolutely, I mean the interviews I saw it. I was
on one use the other night. It's certainly picking up traction.
And it's what we need is we need to build
a following and a support base to really help hockey
lift off into the next level, which will further extend
the opportunity for doing success on the world stage as well.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What's the deep slight in domestic hockey, Dylan, There's plainly
a lot of players out there, you see them all
over the place on ters, but is it of a
good quality?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
I think so. I think we're slowly getting there.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
So, like I said, the domestic program has been missing
for a while now, so I think there's players that
have slipped through the cracks that may have had some really,
really good potential all but having this now, having the
selectors watching every game week and week out, gives players
opportunity to step up to the level and beyond. So
it's really exciting to see, you know, potential players that
(03:18):
maybe haven't had a name for themselves perform and have
discussions by selectors throughout this competition.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Dylan, The Falcons represent as quite a swath of the country,
don't they. You kind of spread far and wide. How
does that work as far as coming together to play
into practice?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
It's difficult.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Yeah, Like you said, we're basically from Wellington up to
Hawk's Bay and everywhere in between, so it is difficult.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Again, it's only been six weeks, so we're still.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Figuring each other out and there's some i mean some
natural conflict I suppose at times, so it is sorting
things out with each other. But the coaching staff has
been fantastic and the way that they've enabled us to
spend a lot of time together and get to know
each other has been in value.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Funny you should say that because in the Falcons bio
on the website it says Falcons predominantly feed on live prey.
Hope that doesn't mean each.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Other, No, they're definitely not.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
You've also got women's team as well, so Falcons, Mavericks,
Tridents and al Piner's. But it's spread right across and
that the way that is styled and also really important too.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yeah, it is. It is.
Speaker 4 (04:34):
It's great to have a men's and a women's competition
because yeah, same with the women's competition that hasn't quite
been up to scratch in the domestic league, so it
is important that it is across, yeah, both male and female.
And we're just really lifting the standard of hockey now
in New Zealand, which is great to see.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
And as far as the relevance of winning this title,
how closely hell will that be for everybody?
Speaker 5 (04:59):
How much of a philip is for the Falcons?
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Oh it be. It will be a fantastic achievement.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
I mean from from the get go we've had our
eyes on gold and getting the the yeah, second one,
so we managed to get the gold in twenty twenties,
so it's certainly in our and our site and our
vision to do it all over again against the ol Pinters,
which again we played in the finals last time.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
How many survivors are from that successful twenty twenty.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Side, there's a couple, maybe a handful. There was a
lot of old fellows that that sort of ended their
career post Tokyo Olympics, but they've left a great legacy
and some new young players have certainly stepped up and
filled in their their positions. So yeah, it's fantastic that
(05:48):
we just have the older fellows sort of starting the legacy,
and then we've got some new guys to step up
and carry it on.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
It's a full program. Starts at quarter past one with
the women's bronze medal match, the Memes Bronze Medal match
at three point fifteen, at five p fifteen, the women's
gold medal match, the Tridents versus your kids, the Falcon
and Falcons, and a quarter past seven it's you taking
on the ol Piners for that gold. It's going to
(06:17):
be a huge day out there at North Harbor Hockey
Stadium in Albany, quite the place to play.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
I expect.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Oh, it's going to be fantastic. I think yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
North Harbor always put in a good crowd and I'm
sure with the games, like you said, throughout the cross
the whole day, there's going to be hopefully a lot
of families and people there to really make a day
of it.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
So hopefully they have the.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Endurance to stick around all day and see a pretty
exciting final later on in the evening.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
If kat get there is a live stream anywhere it is.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
It's on TVNZ Plus, so if you can't make it
in person, then certainly jump on your laptop or your
TV and jump on and watch some great, great live coverage.
Speaker 5 (06:58):
And on that we'll let you get on with it.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
You have a great day, Enjoy success. Dlan Thomason thanks
very much for joining his heir on News Talk ZB
It's Dylan Thomas, thank you for your time part of
the New Zealand Hockey Premier League. He's the captain of
the Falcons. They are taking on the Alpineers in the
Means Final, getting underway seven point fifteen this evening. Averett
(07:21):
North Harbor Hockey Stadium.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set BE on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Wildegrave from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
B nineteen after seven on the All Sport Breakfast. They're
coming up today, Huge day four hockey, Massive day on
the turf at the North Harbor Hockey Stadium. Four huge
games coming up, including the men's final set to go
at seven fifteen this evening. It is between the Alpiners
from the South Island and the Falcons, who is the
(00:33):
central conglomerate if you can call them that, And we're
joined by the captain of the men's Falcons. Cider's name
is Dylan Thomas.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good morning morning, Darcy. Here you going.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
I'm doing very well. Burg day for you when it
comes to hockey and the top of the tree, because
that's basically we were at for the Premiere Hockey League.
You've got a final coming up this afternoon to try
and pick up gold.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Absolutely finals footy against the Alpiners, so we owe them one.
We've played them two times previously. We've had a convincing
loss and then we've had a pretty gutsy draw. So
for us it's the next step up and to get
the gold.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Well, you've got your record you've lost a couple of games,
They've lost a couple of games, You've lost a handful.
So that would make me think that they're out and
out favorites.
Speaker 5 (01:23):
Is that right done? Disagree with me?
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I'd like to depend who you support.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
I suppose, so we're yeah, where I guess you could
say we're underdogs, but again, like I said, where, we've
taken it to every team. We've had losses, draws and wins,
so we deserve to be in the final. You know,
we've done the work to be here and now it's
just again taking it to these guys and holding nothing back.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
This competition's been going in and out for a few
years now. Obviously got savaged by COVID like everything else did,
but we've what a stage now? Do you think that
we're settled into it and the league is developing well
and found a good place.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
I think so.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
I think it's really important for our domestic competition to
have of something like a PHL, so it has been
missing the last few years, but with some big sponsors,
some big supporters backing us, it should be the start
of something pretty special for hockey in New Zealand.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
How well, isn't engaged in.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Do you think as far as there's the public and
media or everything else, is it getting some traction?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Absolutely, I mean the interviews I saw it. I was
on one use the other night. It's certainly picking up traction.
And it's what we need is we need to build
a following and a support base to really help hockey
lift off into the next level, which will further extend
the opportunity for doing success on the world stage as well.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What's the deep slight in domestic hockey, Dylan, There's plainly
a lot of players out there, you see them all
over the place on ters, but is it of a
good quality?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
I think so. I think we're slowly getting there.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
So, like I said, the domestic program has been missing
for a while now, so I think there's players that
have slipped through the cracks that may have had some really,
really good potential all but having this now, having the
selectors watching every game week and week out, gives players
opportunity to step up to the level and beyond. So
it's really exciting to see, you know, potential players that
(03:18):
maybe haven't had a name for themselves perform and have
discussions by selectors throughout this competition.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Dylan, The Falcons represent as quite a swath of the country,
don't they. You kind of spread far and wide. How
does that work as far as coming together to play
into practice?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
It's difficult.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Yeah, Like you said, we're basically from Wellington up to
Hawk's Bay and everywhere in between, so it is difficult.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Again, it's only been six weeks, so we're still.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Figuring each other out and there's some i mean some
natural conflict I suppose at times, so it is sorting
things out with each other. But the coaching staff has
been fantastic and the way that they've enabled us to
spend a lot of time together and get to know
each other has been in value.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Funny you should say that because in the Falcons bio
on the website it says Falcons predominantly feed on live prey.
Hope that doesn't mean each.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Other, No, they're definitely not.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
You've also got women's team as well, so Falcons, Mavericks,
Tridents and al Piner's. But it's spread right across and
that the way that is styled and also really important too.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yeah, it is. It is.
Speaker 4 (04:34):
It's great to have a men's and a women's competition
because yeah, same with the women's competition that hasn't quite
been up to scratch in the domestic league, so it
is important that it is across, yeah, both male and female.
And we're just really lifting the standard of hockey now
in New Zealand, which is great to see.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
And as far as the relevance of winning this title,
how closely hell will that be for everybody?
Speaker 5 (04:59):
How much of a philip is for the Falcons?
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Oh it be. It will be a fantastic achievement.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
I mean from from the get go we've had our
eyes on gold and getting the the yeah, second one,
so we managed to get the gold in twenty twenties,
so it's certainly in our and our site and our
vision to do it all over again against the ol Pinters,
which again we played in the finals last time.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
How many survivors are from that successful twenty twenty.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Side, there's a couple, maybe a handful. There was a
lot of old fellows that that sort of ended their
career post Tokyo Olympics, but they've left a great legacy
and some new young players have certainly stepped up and
filled in their their positions. So yeah, it's fantastic that
(05:48):
we just have the older fellows sort of starting the legacy,
and then we've got some new guys to step up
and carry it on.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
It's a full program. Starts at quarter past one with
the women's bronze medal match, the Memes Bronze Medal match
at three point fifteen, at five p fifteen, the women's
gold medal match, the Tridents versus your kids, the Falcon
and Falcons, and a quarter past seven it's you taking
on the ol Piners for that gold. It's going to
(06:17):
be a huge day out there at North Harbor Hockey
Stadium in Albany, quite the place to play.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
I expect.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Oh, it's going to be fantastic. I think yeah.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
North Harbor always put in a good crowd and I'm
sure with the games, like you said, throughout the cross
the whole day, there's going to be hopefully a lot
of families and people there to really make a day
of it.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
So hopefully they have the.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Endurance to stick around all day and see a pretty
exciting final later on in the evening.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
If kat get there is a live stream anywhere it is.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
It's on TVNZ Plus, so if you can't make it
in person, then certainly jump on your laptop or your
TV and jump on and watch some great, great live coverage.
Speaker 5 (06:58):
And on that we'll let you get on with it.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
You have a great day, Enjoy success. Dlan Thomason thanks
very much for joining his heir on News Talk ZB
It's Dylan Thomas, thank you for your time part of
the New Zealand Hockey Premier League. He's the captain of
the Falcons. They are taking on the Alpineers in the
Means Final, getting underway seven point fifteen this evening. Averett
(07:21):
North Harbor Hockey Stadium.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set BE on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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