Three of the province's most promising hockey players have headed north, helped by financial support not available in the South.
Nick Ross and Blair Tarrant are both in the Junior Black Sticks, while Hugo Inglis is in the extended squad. All three were members of the Otago Boys High School side, which was beaten in the final of the Rankin Cup last year, the top secondary schools competition in the country.
Ross and Inglis have moved to Hamilton to take up Hillary scholarships while Tarrant has moved to Wellington as he recovers from a serious back injury. All three players are 18. Ross, a midfield player and Inglis, a striker, have linked with Midlands Hockey and are studying at the University of Waikato.
Hillary scholarships are only offered at the University of Waikato and cover fees, training assistance and gym time. Midlands Hockey is run by former Black Stick Darren Smith. Ross, who also receives a Prime Minister's scholarship, said wanting to further his hockey career and not having to pay university fees was too good an offer to turn down.
He estimated the Hillary scholarship alone was worth $5000 a year while the Prime Minister's scholarship was valued at $1000 a semester.
He is studying sport and leisure. The University of Otago does not offer sporting scholarships.
Inglis, who is studying law, said hockey was a lot stronger in the North Island and the scholarship influenced his decision. Tarrant, a defender, is studying accounting at Victoria University in Wellington and said he moved to the capital as he wanted to progress in hockey.
There was greater depth in hockey in Wellington, he said, which would improve his game. A bulging disc in his back had prevented him from playing for six months but he was returning to full fitness, and had managed his first run in the weekend.
He was also awarded a Prime Minister's scholarship, which he said would help pay for his living costs and studies. Tarrant said he had the option to go to Hamilton but preferred Wellington. The big goal for the trio this year was the junior World Cup in Singapore in June.
Otago Hockey Association chief executive Chris Aubin said it was the usual story as talented southern athletes were lured north by scholarships that could not be matched here.
He said the three were very talented home-grown players, so it was extremely frustrating to lose them.
