But they also have an enormous shield carved out of a talented core of players which they will be hoping can help carry them to back-to-back titles.
The national championships begin in Hamilton this weekend and the defending champions shape as the team to beat.
Former Black Stick Nick Ross will captain a team that has been bolstered by the return of veteran international Blair Tarrant.
The classy defender is closing in on 250 games for the Black Sticks and will shore up an already tight defensive lineup.
All three Ward brothers are back for another stint, including Patrick, who made his international debut this year.
Midfielders Benji Culhane and Malachi Buschl also have some experience at the top level.
Strikers Nic Finlayson and Nick Parata have linked up with the side and will add some potency up front.
Hamish van Dyk and Felix McIntosh are both accomplished keepers and will compete for game time.
Dave Ross returns as coach and will lead a well-balanced team.
Otago have a fortunate draw as well.
They have been drawn in pool A, which includes Auckland, who will be tough. But Waikato and Manawatū are more unknown quantities.
Pool B is stacked. Wellington, Canterbury, North Harbour and Hawke’s Bay will battle it out.
The men’s format will have the top two teams of each pool playing crossover games, while the bottom two of each pool will compete for the minor placings.
The teams carry the points through to the crossover games and the top two teams will meet in the final on September 16.
The Otago women’s side will arguably find the going quite tough.
They missed out on the good luck the men’s side received with the draw and are stuck in a pool with Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington. The other pool of North Harbour, Manawatū, Waikato and Hawke’s Bay looks a more comfortable spot.
Otago will be without Black Stick Tessa Jopp, who is unavailable.
Experienced midfielder Hayley Cox will help pick up some of that slack. The Cantabrian is new to the team this year and will combine with captain Maddie Peel in the engine room.
They will drive the play through the middle for Otago, while up front Annabelle Schneideman and Ella Greenwood are charged with popping the ball in the back of the net.
Canterbury’s Anneka Calder has joined the team as a guest player and will bring with her a quality passing game. She is also a strong tackler and a good communicator.
Otago B will contest the tier 2 men’s tournament and have put together a very decent squad, which is a testament to the strength of hockey in the region.
Among their ranks is Junior Black Stick Daniel Torr, and Sam Gradwell and Thomas Meder, who were part of the New Zealand under-18 side last year.
They finished third in 2022 and a top-four finish remains the goal this season.
The format for the tier 2 men is sightly different. There are two pools of six and the top two teams from each will progress to the semifinals.
Otago squads
For the national championships
Men: Zeke Buschl, Malachi Buschl, Benji Culhane, Nic Finlayson, Zach Mason, Felix McIntosh, James Nicolson, Kieran O’Connor, Nick Parata, Maxwell Rasmussen, Nick Ross (captain), Blair Tarrant, Johnny Thorn, Craig Turner, Hamish van Dyk, Finn Ward, Jordan Ward, Patrick Ward.
Women: Pippa Croft, Hayley Cox, Anneka Calder, Chloe Donaldson, Ella Greenwood, Mackenzie Harvey, Rachel Lecky, Ella McCall, Neve McLean, Sophia Kersten, Rose Parkinson, Maddie Peel (captain), Ruby Pedersen, Abby Reid, Eve Swan, Annabelle Schneideman, Danielle Wheeler, Millie White.
Men’s B grade: Judd Adamson, Rhys Barratt, Lachlan Colquhoun, Lachie Crowle, Lars Dalley, Tom French, Sam Gradwell, Franco Laroche, Alex Lloyd, Thomas Meder,
Hugh Nixon, Jacob Smith, Henry Storey, Daniel Torr, Eli Turner, Liam Williams, Tyler Williams.
