1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,867 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,907 Speaker 2: News Talks ABB. The Premier Hockey League is New Zealand's 4 00:00:15,947 --> 00:00:20,507 Speaker 2: new elite domestic field hockey competition. It involves four rival 5 00:00:20,587 --> 00:00:25,067 Speaker 2: franchises playing over six weekends, culminating with the finals day 6 00:00:25,147 --> 00:00:28,587 Speaker 2: on the seventh of December at North Harbor. It's round 7 00:00:28,627 --> 00:00:31,427 Speaker 2: three this weekend. Find out a bit more about this competition, 8 00:00:31,467 --> 00:00:33,747 Speaker 2: it's origins and that sort of thing. Let's bring in 9 00:00:33,907 --> 00:00:38,547 Speaker 2: former Blacksticks legend double Olympian Peter Muskimmon. Peter, thanks for 10 00:00:38,587 --> 00:00:41,467 Speaker 2: joining this. Tell us about the origins of this Premiere 11 00:00:41,627 --> 00:00:44,827 Speaker 2: Hockey League. How did it all come about here? 12 00:00:44,947 --> 00:00:45,107 Speaker 3: Hi? 13 00:00:45,227 --> 00:00:47,467 Speaker 4: How are you hey? Thanks so much for the opportunity. Yes, 14 00:00:47,507 --> 00:00:50,667 Speaker 4: it's hugely exciting for the hockey community. 15 00:00:51,587 --> 00:00:53,267 Speaker 3: We've been a bit baron. 16 00:00:53,107 --> 00:00:57,707 Speaker 4: Of top flight elite hockey provincial hockey in New Zealand 17 00:00:57,787 --> 00:00:58,667 Speaker 4: for quite some time. 18 00:00:59,107 --> 00:01:02,707 Speaker 3: So this is really a play for from New Zealand. 19 00:01:02,347 --> 00:01:06,747 Speaker 4: Hockey to create more products and more content for New 20 00:01:06,827 --> 00:01:10,627 Speaker 4: Zealand hockey fans to to see an experience, and it's 21 00:01:10,667 --> 00:01:14,747 Speaker 4: really all about strengthening the pathway and opportunities for aspiring 22 00:01:15,067 --> 00:01:16,947 Speaker 4: young players on their. 23 00:01:16,827 --> 00:01:19,267 Speaker 3: Pathway towards the Black Sticks and beyond. 24 00:01:19,787 --> 00:01:23,747 Speaker 4: So it's a redesigned it's it's four franchises, one from 25 00:01:23,787 --> 00:01:26,787 Speaker 4: the Lower and from the South Island called the Old Piners, 26 00:01:27,067 --> 00:01:29,867 Speaker 4: one from the Lower North Island which is the Falcons, 27 00:01:30,267 --> 00:01:33,627 Speaker 4: there's one through the through the Middle which is the Mavericks, 28 00:01:33,627 --> 00:01:36,867 Speaker 4: and then there is the Tridents, which takes in all 29 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:40,347 Speaker 4: of Auckland and Northland. So they are the four franchises 30 00:01:41,147 --> 00:01:43,147 Speaker 4: and they're doing battle right now in the in the 31 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:44,547 Speaker 4: inaugural PHL. 32 00:01:45,027 --> 00:01:48,387 Speaker 2: How were the squads selected for each of the franchises, Peter. 33 00:01:49,307 --> 00:01:55,867 Speaker 4: Ye, Most of the players self determined there the province 34 00:01:55,867 --> 00:01:58,467 Speaker 4: of origin or where they grew up and the old 35 00:01:58,507 --> 00:02:00,307 Speaker 4: story it's mate on mates, so a lot of them 36 00:02:00,347 --> 00:02:03,907 Speaker 4: want to go back and play for those that you 37 00:02:03,947 --> 00:02:05,907 Speaker 4: know where that where they came from and where they 38 00:02:05,947 --> 00:02:09,267 Speaker 4: originally from. Equally, it's created a real opportunity, I know, 39 00:02:09,387 --> 00:02:10,507 Speaker 4: the likes of the South Island. 40 00:02:10,587 --> 00:02:12,187 Speaker 3: It brings all the guys. 41 00:02:11,907 --> 00:02:15,827 Speaker 4: From Otago and Canoby together that normally would battle it away. 42 00:02:15,667 --> 00:02:19,147 Speaker 4: They're on the same roster, same team. It's very much 43 00:02:19,147 --> 00:02:21,867 Speaker 4: the same as elsewhere. And the Falcons, you know, it's 44 00:02:21,907 --> 00:02:25,747 Speaker 4: bringing the Wellington, the Manhatu and the Hawks Bay together 45 00:02:25,787 --> 00:02:28,227 Speaker 4: in a really unique way and that's quite novel. And 46 00:02:28,547 --> 00:02:31,707 Speaker 4: actually all the players are very excited about about playing 47 00:02:31,747 --> 00:02:34,907 Speaker 4: together when typically they fought each other on the field. 48 00:02:35,147 --> 00:02:38,107 Speaker 2: Now, one of the unique features of the Premier Hockey 49 00:02:38,187 --> 00:02:42,267 Speaker 2: League is the private ownership component to it. Can can 50 00:02:42,307 --> 00:02:43,587 Speaker 2: you unpack that a little bit for us? 51 00:02:44,587 --> 00:02:45,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think this is all. 52 00:02:46,387 --> 00:02:50,947 Speaker 4: Obviously, most sports have gone down pathway of looking at 53 00:02:51,067 --> 00:02:56,667 Speaker 4: local ownership and a local investment in that pathway and 54 00:02:56,747 --> 00:02:59,627 Speaker 4: in the future. So Hockey news Illand has gone down 55 00:02:59,667 --> 00:03:03,587 Speaker 4: that route as well. So created four franchises. So for 56 00:03:04,867 --> 00:03:09,267 Speaker 4: locally owned clubs, if you like, have been created. You 57 00:03:09,307 --> 00:03:13,587 Speaker 4: know that the alp Piners, the Falcons, the Mavericks and 58 00:03:13,907 --> 00:03:18,147 Speaker 4: the Tridents, that they are all uniquely owned, privately owned. 59 00:03:18,707 --> 00:03:22,227 Speaker 4: That that's got philanthropic investment and it's got commercial investment. 60 00:03:22,667 --> 00:03:25,507 Speaker 4: So each of those franchises has to pull together quite 61 00:03:25,507 --> 00:03:29,387 Speaker 4: a significant amount of dollars to make the PHL work 62 00:03:29,467 --> 00:03:33,107 Speaker 4: this year. The really significant thing is the players have 63 00:03:33,147 --> 00:03:37,347 Speaker 4: all agreed not to be paid, and that's significant. Otherwise 64 00:03:37,507 --> 00:03:39,867 Speaker 4: we would never have been able to get this the 65 00:03:39,947 --> 00:03:43,267 Speaker 4: league up and going and so that's their contribution and 66 00:03:43,747 --> 00:03:46,667 Speaker 4: to to this league, and all of the players wanted 67 00:03:46,667 --> 00:03:48,387 Speaker 4: this league. That was one of the highest priority of 68 00:03:48,427 --> 00:03:52,867 Speaker 4: all the Black Sticks coming out was a top flight league. 69 00:03:53,227 --> 00:03:54,707 Speaker 3: So those four. 70 00:03:55,187 --> 00:03:59,787 Speaker 4: Franchises have now been created and they are busily developing, 71 00:04:00,227 --> 00:04:03,267 Speaker 4: you know, their financial models and getting local investment and 72 00:04:03,667 --> 00:04:06,547 Speaker 4: to support the talent in the area a right. 73 00:04:06,627 --> 00:04:09,587 Speaker 2: So we've had two rounds already, Peter, who's making the 74 00:04:09,987 --> 00:04:11,907 Speaker 2: I guess you'd call it the early running and the 75 00:04:11,947 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 2: men's and women's competitions. 76 00:04:14,747 --> 00:04:15,347 Speaker 3: If I take the. 77 00:04:15,707 --> 00:04:18,947 Speaker 4: Men's to start with the Alpineers, the South Island team, 78 00:04:19,147 --> 00:04:22,627 Speaker 4: you know, they boast about twelve to or more Black 79 00:04:22,667 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 4: Sticks current Black Sticks players in it. They're very very 80 00:04:26,707 --> 00:04:30,067 Speaker 4: strong at the moment. They've had two wins so far, 81 00:04:30,227 --> 00:04:33,187 Speaker 4: so they are topping the pool. And the other three 82 00:04:33,227 --> 00:04:36,867 Speaker 4: teams are all sitting on two points, so Elpiners have 83 00:04:36,947 --> 00:04:40,587 Speaker 4: eight and Trent's, Mavericks and Falcons all have two where 84 00:04:40,587 --> 00:04:43,987 Speaker 4: they are all effectively drawing and cutting each other's throats 85 00:04:43,987 --> 00:04:45,707 Speaker 4: if you like, and that's allowed the old pine Is 86 00:04:45,827 --> 00:04:48,947 Speaker 4: to jump ahead and the woman's it's a little bit tighter. 87 00:04:49,507 --> 00:04:52,907 Speaker 4: The Falcons are on six points. They've had a win 88 00:04:53,147 --> 00:04:55,707 Speaker 4: and a drawer and on that drawer there is a 89 00:04:55,707 --> 00:04:59,347 Speaker 4: shootout at the end of that and they've won that 90 00:04:59,387 --> 00:05:02,187 Speaker 4: shootout which gives them an extra point. So they're one 91 00:05:02,227 --> 00:05:05,907 Speaker 4: point ahead of the Tridents from Auckland and Northland and 92 00:05:06,627 --> 00:05:09,467 Speaker 4: two points for the Alpiners and one for the Mavericks. 93 00:05:10,027 --> 00:05:12,947 Speaker 4: So a lot to play for this week in as 94 00:05:13,067 --> 00:05:16,707 Speaker 4: shaping forward to the finals week in which one plays 95 00:05:16,707 --> 00:05:20,987 Speaker 4: too and both men and women buying out for the title, 96 00:05:21,027 --> 00:05:21,907 Speaker 4: the PHL title. 97 00:05:22,147 --> 00:05:24,507 Speaker 2: As far as the scoring system is concerned, Peter, I 98 00:05:24,547 --> 00:05:27,787 Speaker 2: understand there's a slight innovation as far as that's concerned 99 00:05:27,787 --> 00:05:28,907 Speaker 2: as well. Can you tell us about that. 100 00:05:29,987 --> 00:05:32,187 Speaker 4: Yeah, this is all about making it more exciting for 101 00:05:33,267 --> 00:05:34,307 Speaker 4: fans who come along. 102 00:05:35,147 --> 00:05:37,467 Speaker 3: What Hockey New Zealand's. 103 00:05:37,027 --> 00:05:42,147 Speaker 4: Done is adopted a experimental rule which Australia have been 104 00:05:42,147 --> 00:05:45,067 Speaker 4: playing with, which is when you score a field goal 105 00:05:45,547 --> 00:05:48,787 Speaker 4: you get the opportunity to take a penalty shootout for 106 00:05:48,787 --> 00:05:51,387 Speaker 4: an extra point. So if you score a field goal, 107 00:05:51,667 --> 00:05:54,427 Speaker 4: the person who scored the goal actually has a shootout 108 00:05:54,427 --> 00:05:56,947 Speaker 4: with the goalkeeper and so you can go from one 109 00:05:57,027 --> 00:06:00,547 Speaker 4: point to two points very quickly, so that dramatically changes 110 00:06:00,587 --> 00:06:04,707 Speaker 4: the nature of the game. It slightly emphasizes field goals 111 00:06:04,747 --> 00:06:08,947 Speaker 4: over corners. Is only worth one goal, but you can 112 00:06:08,987 --> 00:06:10,827 Speaker 4: double up with a field goal with two, so the 113 00:06:10,867 --> 00:06:13,987 Speaker 4: game changes. The mood of the game changes very quickly. 114 00:06:14,027 --> 00:06:17,827 Speaker 4: If you can get a field goal and a shootout point, 115 00:06:18,667 --> 00:06:21,187 Speaker 4: you know, you can catch up to the opposition very 116 00:06:21,227 --> 00:06:22,067 Speaker 4: quickly if you're behind. 117 00:06:22,387 --> 00:06:23,947 Speaker 2: You've mentioned it a couple of times, Peter, but how 118 00:06:24,027 --> 00:06:27,787 Speaker 2: much do you expect this competition will help our national teams, 119 00:06:27,827 --> 00:06:29,387 Speaker 2: our mens and women's Black Sticks. 120 00:06:29,987 --> 00:06:32,627 Speaker 3: Well, I think it's too far one. It does create 121 00:06:32,667 --> 00:06:34,387 Speaker 3: a pathway. It does show. 122 00:06:34,347 --> 00:06:37,027 Speaker 4: Young kids as they coming up what they need to 123 00:06:37,067 --> 00:06:38,827 Speaker 4: do and where they need to go. If you want 124 00:06:38,827 --> 00:06:41,547 Speaker 4: to make the pathway to the Black Sticks, you definitely 125 00:06:41,627 --> 00:06:43,787 Speaker 4: need to have a strong showing in one of these 126 00:06:43,787 --> 00:06:47,227 Speaker 4: PHL teams. So these are our best players right through 127 00:06:47,267 --> 00:06:50,347 Speaker 4: the country. They are seeded with some international players. There 128 00:06:50,347 --> 00:06:55,027 Speaker 4: will be more international players coming in over time, you know, 129 00:06:55,107 --> 00:07:00,107 Speaker 4: hopefully opening up to more and Asia players coming in 130 00:07:00,547 --> 00:07:03,987 Speaker 4: and providing a link into Asia as well. So there's 131 00:07:04,067 --> 00:07:06,907 Speaker 4: great ambition in terms of the roster of those teams. 132 00:07:07,587 --> 00:07:11,307 Speaker 4: But what the players are saying is they definitely want 133 00:07:11,667 --> 00:07:15,827 Speaker 4: higher quality domestic elite competition in New Zealand and this 134 00:07:15,907 --> 00:07:19,227 Speaker 4: will will provide it. But equally it provides all the 135 00:07:19,267 --> 00:07:21,507 Speaker 4: fans and all the young kids the opportunity of seeing 136 00:07:21,547 --> 00:07:22,467 Speaker 4: the heroes playing. 137 00:07:22,827 --> 00:07:24,227 Speaker 3: They just don't get enough of them. 138 00:07:24,667 --> 00:07:27,987 Speaker 4: Many of our men and women are now playing offshore 139 00:07:28,267 --> 00:07:31,587 Speaker 4: in Europe and this is an opportunity for them to 140 00:07:31,587 --> 00:07:34,627 Speaker 4: come home in a window that works for their contracting 141 00:07:34,667 --> 00:07:37,587 Speaker 4: in Europe, allows them to come home and play. And 142 00:07:37,667 --> 00:07:39,667 Speaker 4: so we again to see all of these top players 143 00:07:40,187 --> 00:07:43,107 Speaker 4: battling it out and the young kids are absolutely loving it. 144 00:07:43,267 --> 00:07:45,867 Speaker 2: Absolutely And the vision, Peter moving forward, I know we've 145 00:07:45,867 --> 00:07:48,427 Speaker 2: only just started, but you talked about ambition. Is the 146 00:07:48,507 --> 00:07:52,067 Speaker 2: vision moving forward to have more teams, longer season, what 147 00:07:52,427 --> 00:07:54,707 Speaker 2: have you sort of Has that been discussed at all? 148 00:07:55,467 --> 00:07:57,587 Speaker 4: Yeah, Well, the opportunity here is we have a free 149 00:07:57,627 --> 00:08:00,907 Speaker 4: to wear deal with TV and Z Plus, which really 150 00:08:00,947 --> 00:08:05,427 Speaker 4: means that the games can be experienced and seen by 151 00:08:05,467 --> 00:08:08,667 Speaker 4: more fans and more people, which is great. I think 152 00:08:08,707 --> 00:08:13,747 Speaker 4: the whole financial viability is the critical issue here. Substantial 153 00:08:13,787 --> 00:08:16,947 Speaker 4: investment from the hockey community already coming in, so that will, 154 00:08:17,227 --> 00:08:21,427 Speaker 4: you know, depending on that, will will dictate how much 155 00:08:21,507 --> 00:08:24,027 Speaker 4: the competition can expand but I think for the next 156 00:08:24,027 --> 00:08:26,947 Speaker 4: three or four years that will be the four but 157 00:08:27,107 --> 00:08:30,307 Speaker 4: it may well be more quality players from offshore coaches 158 00:08:30,347 --> 00:08:33,027 Speaker 4: as well as players coming into the league to really 159 00:08:33,347 --> 00:08:37,827 Speaker 4: showcase it and make it a fantastic opportunity for people 160 00:08:37,867 --> 00:08:39,467 Speaker 4: to get along and watch hockey. 161 00:08:39,467 --> 00:08:40,387 Speaker 3: It's best, all right. 162 00:08:40,427 --> 00:08:41,987 Speaker 2: Just before you go, I just want to ask about 163 00:08:42,027 --> 00:08:47,427 Speaker 2: the decision or the announcement of the scale back twenty 164 00:08:47,427 --> 00:08:50,387 Speaker 2: twenty six Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Hockey has missed out 165 00:08:50,427 --> 00:08:52,707 Speaker 2: on the schedule there. I know that there's a great 166 00:08:52,707 --> 00:08:55,267 Speaker 2: hope that it will return in twenty thirty. How much 167 00:08:55,307 --> 00:08:57,147 Speaker 2: of a blow though, is it to the sport here 168 00:08:57,187 --> 00:09:00,987 Speaker 2: to miss out on the schedule for Glasgow, Well, it 169 00:09:01,027 --> 00:09:02,507 Speaker 2: wasn't unsurprising. 170 00:09:02,587 --> 00:09:05,147 Speaker 4: I think we, you know, like a number of other sports, 171 00:09:05,187 --> 00:09:06,907 Speaker 4: could see the writing on the wall. I mean, it 172 00:09:06,947 --> 00:09:09,867 Speaker 4: was fantastic against Scotland has picked up the thread of 173 00:09:09,987 --> 00:09:14,667 Speaker 4: the Commonwealth Games after what happened in Victoria and Melbourne, 174 00:09:14,747 --> 00:09:19,227 Speaker 4: and it's just wonderful for athletes to have a Commonwealth Games, 175 00:09:19,267 --> 00:09:22,227 Speaker 4: even though it's scaled down. I don't think the Commonwealth 176 00:09:22,307 --> 00:09:27,067 Speaker 4: Federation see the Commonwealth Games being a cutdown version. 177 00:09:27,267 --> 00:09:29,947 Speaker 3: It certainly sees it as a different version going forward. 178 00:09:29,987 --> 00:09:33,427 Speaker 4: So like all other sports that are not on the 179 00:09:33,467 --> 00:09:36,907 Speaker 4: program for Glasgow, there is an opportunity of coming. 180 00:09:36,667 --> 00:09:39,947 Speaker 3: Back in later years, but it is a bit of 181 00:09:39,987 --> 00:09:40,307 Speaker 3: a blow. 182 00:09:40,307 --> 00:09:43,587 Speaker 4: It is a window of opportunity that players are available. 183 00:09:43,827 --> 00:09:46,267 Speaker 4: So there are conversations going on now around the world 184 00:09:46,307 --> 00:09:51,187 Speaker 4: around maybe having a Commonwealth tournament or tournament with Commonwealth 185 00:09:51,227 --> 00:09:55,347 Speaker 4: countries in it, you know, to provide the opportunity for 186 00:09:55,707 --> 00:09:57,947 Speaker 4: those hockey players who typically would be at the Comwealth 187 00:09:58,027 --> 00:10:00,427 Speaker 4: Games to have that same sort of competition, be it 188 00:10:00,467 --> 00:10:03,187 Speaker 4: at a sports specific tournament rather than. 189 00:10:03,187 --> 00:10:05,587 Speaker 3: A multi sporting event like the Commonwealth Games. 190 00:10:05,627 --> 00:10:07,627 Speaker 2: All right, well, look for to more progress there. In 191 00:10:07,667 --> 00:10:09,387 Speaker 2: the meantime the Premier Hockey League. We will let our 192 00:10:09,387 --> 00:10:11,947 Speaker 2: listeners know in a second where they can watch the 193 00:10:11,947 --> 00:10:14,427 Speaker 2: action across this weekend and beyond. Peter really appreciate you 194 00:10:14,507 --> 00:10:15,547 Speaker 2: taking the time to fill listen. 195 00:10:16,587 --> 00:10:17,987 Speaker 3: Great one, Thank you very much for the time. 196 00:10:18,067 --> 00:10:19,827 Speaker 2: No, thank you for yours. Peter, Peter Muskim in their 197 00:10:19,827 --> 00:10:23,387 Speaker 2: former blackstick, a double Olympian and a driving force still 198 00:10:23,507 --> 00:10:25,667 Speaker 2: in the game of hockey around our country. Yes, so 199 00:10:25,707 --> 00:10:29,827 Speaker 2: the Premier Hockey League we're into round three matches today 200 00:10:28,947 --> 00:10:32,707 Speaker 2: at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington. In fact, they're 201 00:10:32,707 --> 00:10:36,387 Speaker 2: already underway. The Falcons and l Piners, that's two of 202 00:10:36,427 --> 00:10:39,227 Speaker 2: the teams, are games between the men's and women's sites, 203 00:10:39,507 --> 00:10:42,747 Speaker 2: and then tomorrow the Mavericks and the Tridents at Blake 204 00:10:42,787 --> 00:10:47,027 Speaker 2: Park and Todonga with games starting at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. 205 00:10:47,027 --> 00:10:48,947 Speaker 2: All of the fixtures and other information you want to 206 00:10:48,947 --> 00:10:52,867 Speaker 2: find us on their website Premiere Hockey League dot co 207 00:10:53,107 --> 00:10:53,867 Speaker 2: dot nz. 208 00:10:54,587 --> 00:10:57,747 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 209 00:10:57,867 --> 00:11:01,147 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 210 00:11:01,187 --> 00:11:02,787 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio