A review is underway after the Black Sticks women failed to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
1News understands the current pathway model is an area that will be looked at.
“In 2024 we have to make sure that our young players that are aspiring to play in the Olympics are able to progress through and get better," said Hockey New Zealand’s high performance director Darren Smith.
“To be blunt with you, I don't think we have the structure quite right.”
The team's failure to qualify for the Paris Games will be examined, with an emphasis on under-age pathways. (Source: 1News)
Currently there is no national under-13, under-15 or under-21 tournaments. The only national representative tournaments in place is under-18s and a senior national hockey championship.
Hockey New Zealand scrapped majority of the national competitions to shift to regional age group tournaments under Sport New Zealand's ‘Balance is Better’ philosophy.
“We started to look at how full on we were getting with our 11- and 12-year-olds, putting them though massive training loads that meant players were stepping away, rather than stepping up,” said Smith.
But it's left some concerned about the future. Former Black Sticks women’s assistant coach Colin Stewart says the development of future Black Sticks stars will be impacted.
“What’s the process of becoming a Black Stick now?," said Stewart.
"Five to six years ago we could see it [the pathway]. We could understand it. Whether I was good enough to get in the team or not I knew where that pathway was. But right now, I don't have an answer and a lot of other people don't either.”
The Black Sticks women’s head coach Phil Burrows was asked by 1News how he identifies future Black Sticks players when there is only a national under-18 tournament. He echoed the same frustration.
“It makes it pretty tough, but I’ve got good connections around the country with each region - it is tough at times with the pathway in place at the moment, we need to have something in place for those [upcoming] athletes.”
Hockey New Zealand has told 1News a new high performance strategy is set to be released in the coming weeks.
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