Hockey New Zealand has confirmed the Vantage Black Sticks Males won’t take part within the 2025–26 FIH Professional League, regardless of qualifying by profitable the 2025 Nations Cup.
This resolution follows session with gamers, coaches, and key stakeholders, and displays the present Professional League format’s misalignment with New Zealand’s high-performance objectives.
Hockey NZ has lengthy advocated for a extra versatile and inclusive Professional League mannequin. Whereas the FIH is reviewing the competitors, no modifications have but been made.
“The present format is dear, travel-heavy, and limits residence video games,” says Ken Maplesden, Performing CEO of Hockey NZ. “It doesn’t assist the sustainable, athlete-first programme we’re constructing in New Zealand.”
The Vantage Black Sticks Ladies additionally declined their 2025–26 Professional League spot, earned by profitable the Nations Cup in March, as a consequence of comparable challenges.
Each choices underscore the structural boundaries dealing with geographically distant nations like New Zealand within the present Professional League setup.
“This wasn’t taken flippantly,” Ken Maplesden continues. “We’re happy with what each groups achieved to qualify. However after session with athletes and employees, it turned clear the Professional League isn’t workable for us proper now.”
New Zealand stays dedicated to competing on the highest stage, with Nations Cup titles in 2024 and 2025 (Males) and 2025 (Ladies) reinforcing the nation’s worldwide competitiveness. Returning to the Professional League stays a aim, though in a means that doesn’t compromise a sustainable high-performance programme.
Males’s Vantage Black Sticks Head Coach Greg Nicol displays a bigger-picture dedication to sustainable, world-class preparation and long-term athlete success. “The gamers earned the fitting to compete, and we again them 100%. This resolution is endorsing what we’re constructing, a world-class program that prioritises wellbeing, sensible preparation, and long-term success. We wish to play the most effective, however not at the price of individuals or the programme.
The choice is supported by the New Zealand Hockey Gamers Affiliation (NZHPA).
“The gamers desperately wish to be a part of top-level worldwide hockey, they usually’ve repeatedly confirmed they should be there,” says Glen Sulzberger, NZHPA Government Supervisor.
“That proper to take part mustn’t come at such a excessive value to them as gamers, and in addition to the sport in New Zealand. What is evident is that the Professional League doesn’t meet its unique goals, nor has it advanced to change into a viable competitors. The FIH is failing its responsibility to the sport.”
Gamers have expressed frustration at restricted session within the FIH’s evaluation of the Professional League.
“Each participant goals of testing themselves towards the most effective on this planet,” says present Black Sticks participant Sam Lane. “That’s why we play, so it’s disappointing not to have the ability to compete within the Professional League after the laborious work put in to qualify once more.”
“We perceive the challenges with the league, and implore the FIH to correctly interact and hearken to what athletes must say.”
Hockey NZ stays centered on constructing a powerful home and worldwide calendar, together with extra home-and-away internationals, a strengthened Premier Hockey League, and preparation for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The 2025 Oceania Cup will even be a key milestone.
“This isn’t a step again,” Ken Maplesden concludes. “It’s a step ahead on our phrases. We’re dedicated to excessive efficiency, athlete wellbeing, and rising the sport right here in New Zealand.”
