The Premier Hockey League an annual field hockey competition. The league serves as New Zealand's premier domestic hockey league, helping unearth future talent for selection to the country's national teams; the Vantage Black Sticks.
The Central Falcons were the inaugural tournament champions in both the men's and women's editions, taking out the 2020 titles.
History The Premier Hockey League was founded in 2020. The tournament was formed as a response to Hockey New Zealand needing to provide their top players elite-level hockey, with the Black Sticks being unable to travel due to the country's COVID restrictions.
In 2020, it was confirmed that the league had secured a major partnership with Sentinel Homes, with naming rights also afforded to the company, forming the Sentinel Homes Premier Hockey League.
Following a four-year break in competition, the league will return in 2024. The league will now be privately run, with a focus on being a franchise-based competition.
Format Teams
Central Falcons Hauraki Mavericks Northern Tridents Southern Alpiners
Men's tournament Summaries YearFinals HostGold Medal MatchThird and FourthChampionsScoreRunners-up3rd placeScore4th place2020Hamilton,New ZealandCentral Falcons1–1(1–0 pen.)Southern AlpinersHauraki Mavericks4–1Northern Tridents2024Auckland,New ZealandSouthern Alpiners7–4Central FalconsNorthern Tridents4–3Hauraki Mavericks2025Auckland,New ZealandSouthern Alpiners5–1Hauraki MavericksCentral Falcons5–3Northern Tridents
Women's tournament Summaries YearHostsGold Medal MatchThird and FourthChampionsScoreRunners-up3rd placeScore4th place2020Hamilton, New ZealandCentral Falcons3–1Northern TridentsHauraki Mavericks1–0Southern Alpiners2024Auckland,New ZealandCentral Falcons5–1Northern TridentsSouthern Alpiners6–1Hauraki Mavericks2025Auckland,New ZealandNorthern Tridents3–2Central FalconsSouthern Alpiners0–0(1–0 pen.)Hauraki Mavericks
Awards In both the men's and women's competitions, Hockey New Zealand presents a most valuable player (MVP) award at the conclusion of the tournament. The name of each trophy comes from that of past Black Sticks players. The men's trophy is named after father and son, Jeff and Ryan Archibald, forming the Archibald Trophy, while the women's trophy is named after Suzie Muirhead.
Winners of both the Archibald and Muirhead trophies are listed below.
Most Valuable Player TrophiesYearArchibald TrophyMuirhead Trophy2020Jacob Smith (Falcons)Stacey Michelsen (Tridents)
See also Hockey New Zealand New Zealand National Hockey League
References
External links Hockey New Zealand Black Sticks Sentinel Homes