New Zealand: UNDEFEATED GOING INTO INDIA CLASH
The Vantage Black Sticks produced another strong performance in their third match of the 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup, securing a 4–2 win over Canada in hot, dry conditions after the match was brought forward two hours due to ongoing weather concerns and player welfare considerations. The opening quarter was one-way traffic. The Vantage […]
New Zealand: SAM LANE’S DOUBLE, NICK LIDSTONE’S FIRST
The Vantage Black Sticks continued their strong start to the 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup with a well-earned 3–1 win over Korea in challenging, rain-soaked conditions. With Korea coming off a narrow 1–0 loss to India, the match presented a crucial opportunity for the Vantage Black Sticks to climb to the top of the […]
New Zealand: SECOND HALF COMEBACK FORCING A DRAW
The 2025 Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup began with heavy rain and pitch flooding forcing the postponement of the tournament’s opening match between South Korea and India. That made the Vantage Black Sticks clash with hosts Malaysia the first game of the event. With large pockets of water still visible on the turf at […]
New Zealand: GRACE WINS FIH GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Hockey New Zealand is incredibly proud to announce that Grace O’Hanlon, goalkeeper for the Vantage Black Sticks Women, has been crowned the FIH Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for 2025. The first time in history a New Zealander has won a senior FIH global award. Grace now joins hockey’s global elite, standing alongside past winners […]
New Zealand: INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND
Hockey New Zealand is thrilled to announce the return of international hockey to our home turf this summer. The Vantage Black Sticks Women are set to compete in the Summer of Hockey, a Four Nations Tournament in Dunedin, Otago, from January 21–25, 2026 at the Alexander McMillan Hockey Centre. Hosted in partnership with the […]
New Zealand: GRACE O’HANLON RECEIVES GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Hockey New Zealand is proud to announce that Vantage Black Sticks Women’s goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon has been nominated for the FIH Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the 2025 FIH Hockey Stars Awards. Grace’s nomination places her alongside the world’s elite, with Anne Veenendaal (Netherlands) and Liu Ping (China) also shortlisted for the prestigious global […]
New Zealand: BLAIR TARRANT REFLECTS ON HIS TIME IN THE BLACK SHIRT
After an incredible career spanning over 15 years, three Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games and three World Cups, Vantage Black Sticks Men’s defender and former captain Blair Tarrant has announced his retirement from international hockey. Hailing from Otago, Blair’s journey began on the turfs of Dunedin, where his passion for hockey quickly grew into […]
New Zealand: VANTAGE BLACK STICKS 2025 AWARDS
Hockey New Zealand is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Vantage Black Sticks Annual Awards. An annual celebration recognising individual excellence, professionalism, and contribution within the Hockey New Zealand high-performance environment. These awards honour players who have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, and commitment throughout the international season (October 2024 – September 2025). […]
New Zealand: VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN 2025 AZLAN SHAH SQUAD
The Vantage Black Sticks men have accepted an invitation to compete in the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, held in Ipoh, Malaysia, from 23–30 November 2025. The prestigious invitational tournament will see the New Zealand face off against some of the world’s top hockey nations. Malaysia, Korea, Canada, India, and Belgium, in what promises […]
New Zealand: BOTH MEN AND WOMEN QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP
The Vantage Black Sticks Women have secured their place at the 2026 FIH World Cup after a thrilling shootout victory over Australia in the deciding match of the 2025 Oceania Cup in Darwin. After winning the first match 1–0 and losing the second 0–1, it all came down to last night’s decider. Australia […]
