International Qualifier Championship Underway

Posted on 18/11/2011 by NZIHA

2012 IIHF Inline Hockey Championhips welcomed teams from Chinese Taipei and South Africa in New Plymouth today with a traditional Powhiri held at the Govett Brewster Art Gallery.

Team South Africa arrived early morning on Friday and were met by their team hosts and transported directly to the Art Gallery where they were joined by Team Chinese Taipei and welcomed by the New Zealand Senior Men's team.

The association welcome to New Zealand Mr Harald Springfeld, IIHF Directorate Chairman, who has traveled from Japan and Referees Thomas Meister and Peter Reiter both from Germany.

The first official qualifier game commenced Nov 18 at 7.30pm with New Zealand playing Chinese Taipei. The game was won by New Zealand wth a full time result  11 - 1. On Saturday South Africa will meet Chinese Taipei at 7.30pm and the final game of the three game series will take place on Sunday between South Africa and New Zealand at 4.30pm

The association acknowledge the support from Sport Taranaki, New Plymouth District Council, Vewnture Taranaki and Radio Network with special thanks to Howie Tamati ( CEO Sport Taranaki), Phil Quinney from Radio Network and Leith Robertson for providing his photography.