SLUMERZONE INDIA CENTENARY SQUAD NAMING AND TICKET INFORMATION
The Slumberzone Indian Centenary Hockey Series celebrating 100 years of hockey between the two nations is fast approaching, with early bird tickets on sale from midday Tuesday.
The series will bring India to Auckland at Lloyd Elsmore Park for three matches on 19, 21 and 22 November, marking a century since India’s first hockey tour to New Zealand in 1926.
Following the FIH Hockey World Cup and India’s recent qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games, both nations have agreed the series will focus on celebrating the history and friendship between the two countries. The event will be held as an Invitational Celebration Series showcasing international hockey at home and providing valuable experience for young emerging players. And surrounding the game the atmosphere will be vibrant and multicultural.
New Zealand and Indian Armed Forces teams will also feature in curtain-raiser matches. These fixtures recognise the military origins of the first sporting competition between the two countries.
Squad named for Slumberzone Indian Centenary Hockey Series
The Vantage Black Sticks squad for the series features five players joining the wider group for the first time, with Dean Clarkson, Javahn Jones, Sam Lints, Tim Greenwood and Zander Fraser all set to experience the international environment.
Richard Joyce also returns to the group after stepping away in 2020.
The Invitational Celebration Series provides an opportunity to expose emerging players to international hockey against one of the world’s leading hockey nations, India. While the matches will not be official test matches, the series offers a valuable chance for players to gain experience and be part of the Black Sticks environment.
The squad is: Aidan Sarikaya, Benji Culhane, Dean Clarkson, Dylan Thomas, Gus Nelson, Javahn Jones, Joe Morrison, Jonty Elmes, Luke Holmes, Matt Ruetsch, Nic Woods, Patrick Ward, Richard Joyce, Ryan Parr, Sam Hiha, Sam Lints, Scott Cosslett, Tim Greenwood, Tim Neild and Zander Fraser.
Tickets on sale Tuesday
Early bird tickets for the Slumberzone Indian Centenary Hockey Series go on sale from midday Tuesday. Supporters can choose from single-day tickets or weekend passes, with options available for adults, children and families. Weekend passes include both Saturday and Sunday matches.
Tickets are available at hockeynz.flicket.co.nz.
Match schedule
All matches will be played at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland.
Thursday 19 November
· New Zealand Defence Force Men curtain-raiser: 4.00pm
· New Zealand vs India: 6.30pm
Saturday 21 November
· New Zealand Defence Force Women curtain-raiser: 11.30am
· New Zealand Defence Force Men curtain-raiser: 1.30pm
· Kabaddi: 2.30pm
· New Zealand vs India: 4.00pm
Sunday 22 November
· New Zealand Defence Force Women curtain-raiser: 9.30am
· New Zealand Defence Force Men curtain-raiser: 11.30am
· New Zealand vs India: 2.00pm
Saturday’s programme will also feature kabaddi, a fast-paced team sport originating in South Asia that combines elements of tagging, wrestling and evasion.
The series will be broadcast live on TVNZ+, giving hockey fans across New Zealand the opportunity to follow the action.
A century on from the first tour, the series offers a special opportunity to celebrate the connection between New Zealand and India through hockey, culture and community, while inspiring the next generation of players.
The Slumberzone Indian Centenary Hockey Series is proudly supported by naming rights partner Slumberzone and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, through Auckland Council Events.