AKH CEO UPDATE: 11pm Saturday Evening 27th February

Hi Everyone, I have just arrived home from a successful running by our team of the inaugural U23 Forgesson- Archibald Shield at LEP to the news that we are going back to Level 3 for 7 days.

As result of this announcement please note the following:

Following the Government’s announcement this evening to move Auckland to Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country to Alert Level 2 for seven days from 6am tomorrow, Hockey New Zealand has made the tough decision to postpone the Vantage National Masters Tournament due to start tomorrow.

The decision was made after discussions with the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Tauranga Hockey and Tauranga City Council. This was clearly not the news any of us wanted especially so close to tomorrow’s start and with so many participants having already travelled to Tauranga.

While we had prepared plans to deliver the tournament under Alert Level 2, we must now follow the Government’s guidance to stay home and not travel.

Based on that advice, and taking into account the uncertainty of the current situation, the complexity of how participants have travelled to the event (many through Auckland) and the fact a significant number of participants from Auckland will be under a level 3 lockdown, Hockey NZ decided it was simply not possible to hold a tournament of this size in such a high-risk environment.

If a postponement is possible, it will not be in the immediate future.

Please note the Tauranga Hockey facility is closed until further notice.

– Sunday 28th February – School of Hockey – AGS Turf – Cancelled – Joe Hanks to advise registered participants

– Monday 1st March – The Auckland Council Community Leasing team has advised that the LEP Hockey Carpark may be used for a Covid testing site until further notice. Information to follow on Monday from James Sutherland.

– Monday 1st March – Saturday 6th March – LEP Hockey stadium will be closed to all stakeholders. No booked training sessions by school or club teams or summer hockey – all cancelled.

While all of the above will be highly frustrating, please look after bubble members and get tested or ring Healthline if you feel unwell.

Practice social distancing, hand hygiene and proper cough etiquette.

Further communications from Auckland Hockey to follow in a few days especially in relation to the Intercity Competition due to start on 13th of March.

Take care of one another, Stay Strong and Be Safe.