The League will initially consist of four franchises, each with a with men’s and women’s team. With each competition to run concurrently, the League will be the first of its kind in New Zealand.
“The PHL is an exciting hockey product which see our players enjoy consistent, elite level competition at home,” explains Hockey New Zealand CEO Anthony Crummy.
“The League will prioritise a fan-first approach, showcasing elite-level, athletic and entertaining hockey, driving new investment into hockey and elevating our sport to new heights.”
The PHL will include New Zealand’s best players (and some from abroad), providing an opportunity to develop our talent while serving as an aspirational player pathway for athletes.
Hockey NZ is committed to launching the PHL in November 2024, with the competition set to run for 7 weeks with each team playing home and away in a round-robin format before finals in week 7.
With investment secured for one entity, the League is targeting investment for north of the Bombays, the central and Lower North Island, and the South Island.
The EOI process opened at 10am NZT Tuesday 17th October and conclude at 5pm NZT Friday 1st December.
The first step is to connect with Premier Hockey League General Manager Nick Smith – phlgm@hockeynz.co.nz.
