Welcome to Hockey New Zealand. Skip directly to: main content, navigation, search box.

Kyle Pontifex

 

   

 

 

BIO:
 Kyle is a highly respected goalkeeper who made his debut for the Black Sticks in 2001 and has been the team’s No.1 goalkeeper since the retirement of Paul Woolford in 2008. His greatest assets are speed and agility along with the ability to react and recompose in second-chance shot situations.

He is an excellent communicator and has a terrific tactical mind which has been put to good use during two Olympic campaigns.

Kyle has played club hockey in Belgium and has been exposed to some of the world’s best goalkeeper training. He works in IT in Wellington, is married and is a keen cyclist.

Name:                                                
   Kyle Pontifex

Nickname:                                         
   Bear

Date of Birth:                                    
   05-02-1980

Birthplace:                                        
   Wellington

Town of Residence:                         
   Wellington

Occupation:                                      
   Database Engineer

Position:                                            
   Goal Keeper

Shirt Number:                                               
   17

NZ Debut:                                          
   2001 v Malaysia

NHL Team:                                        
   Wellington

Career High:                                     
   Every time I take the field for the Black Sticks

Career Low:                                      
   Nothing worth dwelling on

Sacrifices you have made to play hockey:                       
   Moved to Auckland 3 times

Age you started playing at:             
   11

Hours of Training per week:                      
   20

Toughest Opponent:                                  
   Australia

Who has been most influential in your career:                            
   Friends and family

Strengths:                                         
   Speed

Weaknesses:                                    
   -

Most Admired Sportsperson:                     
   Eddy Merckx

Hobbies Outside of Hockey:                      
   Cycling

5 Words to Describe Yourself:      
   High Maintenance – Honest – Sharp – Committed

Favourite TV Show:                         
   House

Favourite Food:                               
   Steak

Favourite Music:                              
   Dave Matthews

Favourite Book:                               
   The Godfather

Dislikes:                                            
   Losing

Advice for Young Players:              
   Train hard and enjoy it!!!