Black Sticks arrive in Kāpiti

Black Sticks players sign shirts at the Kapiti Sports Turf.

The Black Sticks Men’s hockey team arrived in Kāpiti yesterday, a day ahead of their matches against Japan tonight and tomorrow night.

The two teams met in Wellington earlier in the week with the first match ending in a tie and the second won by the Black Sticks 3-0. The games in Kāpiti will decide who wins the four-test series.

Yesterday afternoon, players visited Coastlands and Pak ‘n Save for autograph signing, Youth Quest to talk to at risk young people and the Kāpiti Sports Turf to play hockey with primary school pupils.

“The atmosphere at the Turf was fantastic,” says Kapiti Sports Turf Manager, Sonja Williams. “The kids were thrilled to meet the Black Sticks in the flesh, play some hockey with them and get their signatures. And the guys were so good with the kids, talking to them and inspiring them to keep playing hockey.”

Later in the day, both teams with their coaches and managers attended a powhiri at Whakarongatai Marae in Waikanae which included kapa haka from Waikanae and Kapanui Primary School pupils.

Mayor Ross Church says it’s great to have both teams in the district and wishes them well for their matches.

The first match tonight starts at 7pm, with tomorrow’s game commencing at 6pm.

Tickets for the hockey are on sale at www.dashtickets.co.nz and the information desk at Coastlands with discounted family, multi-day, student and pensioner tickets available. They will also be sold at the gate tonight and tomorrow night.