Four New Zealand Officials Selected for 2025 Oceania Cup

Four New Zealand officials have been appointed to the 2025 Oceania Cup happening in Darwin, Australia next week from 4–7 September. Technical Delegate Jackie Tomlinson, technical official Richard Baggs, and umpires Kelly Hudson and Bevan Nichol will represent New Zealand alongside the Vantage Black Stick’s Men’s and Women’s teams who will compete for qualification to the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. For Bevan Nichol, the appointment marks his Oceania Cup debut.

With World Cup qualification and Trans-Tasman pride on the line, this series is one of the most important events in the Oceania hockey calendar.

As Technical Delegate, Jackie Tomlinson will be responsible for overseeing the tournament and ensuring it meets international standards. Reflecting on her appointment, Tomlinson says, “It’s a real privilege to be involved in the top competition in Oceania, especially with World Cup qualification on the line. This will no doubt be an incredible experience.”

Bevan Nichol, who is currently preparing for the Junior World Cup in India, also expressed his excitement about the opportunity, “I expect the teams to throw everything at it. I remember the last Trans-Tasman series, you could sense the tension in the arena from the get-go. I was also in Whangārei at the last Oceania Cup when the Black Sticks Men beat the Aussies in game two, taking the series to the final game.”

For Tomlinson, Hudson, Baggs, and Nichol, Darwin represents more than just another appointment. It’s a chance to demonstrate the depth of talent within New Zealand’s official’s pathway, to gain invaluable experience on the international stage, and to play a decisive role in one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries. We wish them all the best.