BRAD READ PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON EUROPEAN CAMP IN THE UK
From first picking up a hockey stick in Blenheim as an under 10, to having the opportunity to play for clubs across Europe, it has been quite the journey for Vantage Black Sticks veteran, Brad Read. After 75 caps and a 10 year journey, including appearances at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics, his passion for playing for the national side remains, and thanks to a recent training camp hosted in the UK by Hockey New Zealand, he feels more connected to the national side than he has in years.
The recent international camp, held at Read’s current club, East Grinstead, situated an hour south of London saw several seasoned Black Sticks come together for three days of training with current Black Sticks Men's head coach, Greg Nicol.
The camp, which is into its second year, is part of Hockey New Zealand's strategy to de-centralise the national teams, allowing players to take up playing opportunities abroad, while remaining connected to current coaching personnel based in New Zealand.
The camp saw nine active Vantage Black Sticks Men take the turf. Players are based across Europe, with most plying their trade in Germany’s Bundesliga, or the England Hockey League, for clubs aiming to qualify for the European Hockey League, widely regarded as the world's best club competition.
2026 is a pivotal year for the national side, as they prepare for a Nations Cup in South Africa, followed by a World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Read emphasised the importance of staying linked in with the Black Sticks set-up technically and tactically through the camp.
“Having coaches come over makes a huge difference. We are already thinking about our World Cup opponents, while focusing on our style of play”
Spending the past four years overseas, Read has relished the opportunity to play abroad and says it has changed the way he sees the game.
“Lots of guys choose to go overseas for the opportunity to be a full-time athlete… Playing at a consistent, high level provides pressure moments week in, week out, and exposes us to different structures and styles of play”, said Read.
There were plenty of familiar faces in attendance. Kane Russell and Nic Woods based at Hamburger Polo Club in Germany, Read and his East Grinstead teammate Jonty Elmes, Isaac Houlbrooke who plies his trade in Santander, Spain, while UK based Louis Beckert, James Hickson, Dom Dixon and Simon Yorston made the journey to West Sussex. All thoroughly enjoyed the chance to reconnect with international teammates and coaches.
The camp was a huge success, with three days of technical and tactical workshops culminating with players getting the chance to simulate a game environment against local club players. Throughout the camp, Black Sticks players and coaches made sure to give back to the East Grinstead hockey community, hosting interactive coaching and question and answer sessions, which were well received by the local community.
Coach Greg Nicol’s attention now turns to a similar camp held in Auckland over ANZAC weekend. This camp will see seasoned Black Sticks based in New Zealand, combine with younger players yet to make their full international debut. It will provide an opportunity for Nicol to finalise his squad ahead of the Nations Cup title defence in Cape Town, South Africa, which begins on the 11th of June.