2021 CPL Team Preview
2021 CPL Team Preview
April 09, 2021
The Canterbury Premier League (CPL) returns to the turf this Friday 9th April with the Porritt Cup.
The eight team men’s competition, and seven team women’s competition, will kick of the season with the Porritt Cup running two pools of round robin games for three weeks. Followed by cross over finals (1v2, 3v4 etc) on the 24th of April. The Championship Competition will see two full round robins, followed by semi-finals and the final. The President’s Shield (Men) and Rosebowl (Women) will be awarded to the round robin winners, with the Championship Trophy awarded to the final’s winner.
The Challenge Shield’s will again be a weekly feature, with current holders Harewood (Women) and Carlton Redcliffs (Men) putting these on the line in week one.
Learn more about the squads for the upcoming season below.
Women
Avon H and B Eels
Team/Squad: Alice Coll, Sarah Allan, Alice Batt, Grace Curtis, Lucy de-Pass, Jackie Eden, Isabella Forbes, Annabel Girvan, Annabelle Lee, Gabrielle Morgan, Nicole Radburnd, Victoria Symes, Becs Symes, Elizabeth Thomson, Sarah Walcott, Anna Wetherall, Molly Williams and Brooke Young.
Management: Atamira De Goldi Ling (coach).
New Players: Annabelle Lee, Grace Curtis, Molly Williams, Brooke Young.
2020 Players not Returning: Sian Fremaux, Genevieve Macilquham, Martina Migliore, Alice Mullins, and Amy O'Neill.
2020 Ranking: 4th Place.
2020 was most definitely the return of the Eel, bulldozing their way back into the top four after a number of years on the outer.
Ata De Goldi Ling will once again try and keep control of the Eels, with the challenge in 2021 being the ability to perform for the entirety of the season, and will take confidence from a strong first round showing last season where they only dropped one match.
One of Tasman’s finest Brooke Young will pull on the yellow and blue for the first time, a great addition to the side after the loss of key defender Gen Macilquham.
Carlton Redcliffs Reindeer
Team/Squad: Rosie Bedford, Leah Butt, Aleisha Davis, Jenna-Rae McIntyre, Pippa Mckinnel, Jacqui Moorfield, Kirsty Nation, Claudia Peyroux, Sophie Redmayne, Courtney Ross, Lydia Shirley, Jemma Watson, Brittany Wang, Kate Willis, Margot Willis, Annabelle Wilson, and Emily Wium.
Management: Sally Moorfield (coach), Meredith Gudsell (assistant).
New Players: Claudia Peyroux, Annabelle Wilson and Emily Wium.
2020 Players not Returning: Izzy Brown, Anoushka Chiswell, Sophie Cocks, and Francesca Williamson.
2020 Ranking: 2nd Place.
Runners up in 2020, the Reindeer have gone to the transfer market during the summer in a bid to bolster their ranks after missing out on the silverware last season, with new players and a new coach joining the team.
Claudia Peyroux joins three fellow former Southern NHL players in the team with her recent move to the garden city, while Cats players Annabelle Wilson and Emily Wium have been the talk of the town after their late transfer from HSOB/Burnside.
Meredith Gudsell (nee Orr) joins the coaching ranks, bringing NHL, International and Mid-Week Open playing experience and expertise to the group that cannot be rivalled.
What effect the unavailability of Sophie Cocks has on the team will be one to watch, as is the early season injury to Premier League champion Jenna-Rae McIntyre (Central Falcons) who starts the season in a moon boot.
Harewood Huntresses
Team/Squad: Bella Ambrosius, Jessie Anderson, Kate Atkinson, Millie Calder, Breana Catley, Libby Collings, Ellie Duncan, Mikeely Jones, Rileigh Knapp, Charlotte Lee, Thomasina Loeffen, Georgina MacKay-Stewart, Molly Mackay-Stewart, Jordy Mayne, Catherine Tinning, Kendall Vaughan, and Iona Young.
Management: Matt Ling (coach).
New Players: Breana Catley.
2020 Players not Returning: Frances Davies, and Katherine Lobb.
2020 Ranking: 1st Place.
A stellar 2020 season saw the Huntresses scoop all three trophies in the shortened Covid-19 season, and the team rolled out to defend those titles in 2021 looks every bit as strong.
A new name yet familiar face in Jordy Mayne will once again be hard to stop, the former Black Stick back after a summer wedding and ready to torment opposition defences. She’ll be joined in attack by Breana Catley, who will finally become a Huntresses having delayed her debut 12 months due to last seasons pandemic.
Eight of the side featured in the Hockey Premier League at the back end of last year, while captain Thomasina Loeffen has continued the success away from the field after scooping a win in her category at the Coast to Coast earlier this year.
The Hunters have started 2021 as they ended 2020, claiming both Hockey 5s titles in pre-season to put them as firm title favourites with the GAB.
Hornby Tigers
Team/Squad: Sophie Bilton-Burdan, Kathryn Dill-Russell, Therese Featherston, Megan Fitzgerald, Lucy Hibbert, Ella Jamieson, Jade Jones, Hayley McKellow, Kendall Mead, Stephanie Murphy, Annie Noakes, Eleanor Rosemergy, Sophie Spencer, Millie Thompson, Biddy Tothill, Lucy Turner, and Sophie Williamson.
Management: Riley Jennings (coach), Sunjay Ganda & Wendy Fitzgerald (assistants).
New Players: Megan Fitzgerald, Lucy Hibbert, Jade Jones, Kendall Mead, and Sophie Williamson.
2020 Players not Returning: Sophie Calder, Sian Goodall, Anna Harding, Allie Mace-Cochrane, Nicole Machen, and Carissa McGregor.
2020 Ranking: 6th Place.
A summer like no other saw Sunjay Ganda step down as head coach, replaced by Riley Jennings who moves down from the capital to take charge, Sunjay will stay on as assistant coach to support Riley.
The Tigers are hunting for a higher spot on the table in 2021, having been firmly rooted to the sixth spot for a number of years. Look for Lucy Turner and Sophie Spencer to bring the aggression, while Hayley McKellow will be dangerous if given time and space in front of goal.
Kathryn Dill-Russell will once again bring much needed experience to the group, and her combination with Biddy Tothill will be vital if the Tigers are going to cause upsets this season.
HSOB/Burnside Babes
Team/Squad: Payton Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Georgia Charvill, Lucy Clacher, Hayley Cox, Ruby Evans, Olivia Hall, Kodie Kutyn, Georgie Leslie, Alice Mcilroy-Foster, Jordie Plunkett, Claudia Reid, Tessa Reid, Annabelle Schneideman, and Issy Story.
Management: Jack Gilbert (coach), Deidre Cumming (assistant).
New Players: Bella Armstrong, Georgia Charvill, Lucy Clacher, Olivia Hall, Georgie Leslie.
2020 Players not Returning: Hannah Hill, Emma Spratt, Maddie Story, Caitlin Walker, Annabelle Wilson, and Emily Wium.
2020 Ranking: 5th Place.
It’s a new look HSOB/Burnside team in 2021, with a strong contingent of senior players having moved on after last season.
Jack Gilbert will have his work cut out for him in his first year as coach, with the side missing out on the top four spot last year for the first time in more than a decade. Gilbert will bring a game plan with plenty of attacking flair, which will suit some of the exciting youngsters in the side.
Goalkeeper Alice Mcilroy-Foster and midfielder Hayley Cox will be key to the success this season, and with a strong contingent of young and new players, 2021 could be the year for Burnside to put themselves back into top four contention.
Marist Novus Glass Mermaids
Team/Squad: Danielle Ackland, Emily Baker, Eleanor Barton, Emma Barton, Annabel Connell, Ayla Goodwin-Lister, Jess Gunn, Ella Hickman, Caitlin Hughes, Keeley Hughes, Emma Illerbrun, Saasha Masters, Arabella Shield, Mezzy Surridge, Alice Twaddell, and Maddie Wotton.
Management: George Connell & Joe Bartholomew (co-coaches).
New Players: Emily Baker (back from injury), Eleanor Barton, Emma Barton, Annabel Connell, Ella Hickman, Keeley Hughes, and Emma Illerbrun.
2020 Players not Returning: Kelsey Briddell, Anna Crowley, Krystal Forgesson, Holly Gaskin, Ella Morrison, Piper Smith, and Olivia Ward.
2020 Ranking: 3rd Place.
Some serious experience has been lost for the Mermaids as Krystal Forgresson and Holly Gaskin will both be non-starters in 2021 and one season wonder Anna Crowley now part of the Black Sticks squad in Auckland, but Emily Baker returns from injury and Villa Maria students Keeley Hughes and Annabel Connell have been promoted from within the club.
Mezzy Suridge had a strong showing in her debut season last year, Maddie Wotton will once again dominate the midfield while Caitlin Hughes will have her hands full trying keep the management team and her younger sister under control throughout the season.
Marist have gone for strong North Island flavour in response to losing Forgesson and Gaskin, with Barton sisters Eleanor and Emma along with Ella Hickman joining the team from Waikato, while former Northland NHL representative Emma Illerbrun has also been selected.
Southern United Stars
Team/Squad: Rebecca Adolph, Tessa Adolph, Riley Chandler, Rebecca Coulson, Chloe Donaldson, Sam Fitzgerald, Katie Garret, Claudia Gelling, Meg Glading, Freyja Marshall, Julia Newlands, Kelly Newlands, Hannah Pearson, Georgia Surie, Kate Vanderpyl, and Ella Wilson.
Management: Sam Bennett (coach).
New Players: Rebecca Coulson, Chloe Donaldson, Sam Fitzgerald, Katie Garret, Claudia Gelling, Meg Glading, Freyja Marshall and Kate Vanderpyl.
2020 Players not Returning: Natalie Austin, Nicole Cant, Sarah Graham, Amelia Neill, Chloe Nicholson, Libby Parkes, Emma Stackhouse, Haley Stephens, Alana Topping, and Eveane Tuetue-Gray.
2020 Ranking: 7th Place.
A change in personnel could see a change in fortune for the Stars after a number of years languishing at the bottom of the table. A number of players move up from the Division 1 team as Sam Bennett returns at the helm.
A strong percentage of the side have had a number of years in the premier grade, so 2021 could be the year the team get themselves a well-earned victory.
Men
Avon
Team/Squad: Sam Armitage, Ari Barrow, Levi Barrow, Duncan Bridgman, Lucca Burley, Elliot Darling, Harrison Darling, Etienne Harrington-Watt, Kyle Houston, Lennox Moss, Jack Piggott, Joe Piggott, Duncan Rollinson, Adrian Smith, Tom Tremain, and Daniel Woud.
Management: Matt Walcott (coach), Craig Armitage (assistant), Mick Piggott (manager).
2020 Players not Returning: Robert Buhler, Hamish Church, James Kennedy and Tim Sheed.
2020 Ranking: 3rd Equal.
The biggest back four in the competition are back for more in 2021, a second straight appearance in the semi finals has provided plenty of motivation to make it three in a row.
A huge loss is the expected retirement of Rob Buhler, who is not listed on the team sheet for 2021. Buhler, a veteran for the side and the Canterbury Beavers over the past 10 years, hasn’t made an official announcement, but those close to him say he’s more than likely played his last game.
Newly Wed Elliott Silk-Darling looks to suit up for another season alongside younger brother Harrison, while Father Pete will call himself the manager if the team comes away with a win.
The Barrow brothers will once again lead the charge up front and at the back, while Kyle Houston is making an early play for the best mullet in the competition.
Carlton Redcliffs
Team/Squad: Reuben Crawford, Lars Dalley, William Davidson, Mitchell Davis, Andrew Dunbar, George Enersen, Edward Enersen, Vaughan England, Daniel Foss, Chris Goldsbury, Nick Haig, Adam Hillis, Keeley Legge, Nicholas Lidstone, Jack Mitchell, Thomas Mouldey, Michael Spurdle, Trent Summers.
Management: Keryn Ambler (coach), Ritchie Legge (manager).
New Players: Nick Haig (returning from overseas), Jack Mitchell, and Michael Spurdle.
2020 Players not Returning: Nick Dunbar, Tom Nicholls, Silas Dalley.
2020 Ranking: 2nd Place.
The current President's Shield and Challenge Shield holders are looking to back up an impressive 2020 season and welcome the return of Nick Haig who will join the side on his return from Belgium at the back end of the season.
Keryn Ambler returns as coach having secured a contract extension after a successful first stint at the helm, ably supported by Ritchie Legge in dugout.
Youngster Nick Lidstone takes the captains armband from George Enersen, who shifts North for Olympic preparation but will still don the kit when national commitments allow.
The team has coped with the huge loss of schoolboy star and sheep shearer Tom Nicholls, who has moved down south for employment, with fellow New Plymouth Boys players Jack Mitchell and Michael Spurdle joining the side.
Harewood Hunters
Team/Squad: Thomas Mallon, Jono Spence, Josh Nelson, Matt Crake, Matt Wilson, Lawrence Darling, Jakarta Klebert, Andrew Sherratt, Oliver Bunny, Nick Findlay, Hamish Findlay, Tim Sheed, Garren Fyfe, Hayden Cox, Richard Bain, and Sam Dawson.
Management: Chris Leslie (coach).
New Players: Jakarta Klebert, Sam Dawson, Tim Sheed.
2020 Players not Returning: Will Hayde, Gus Wakeling, and Xavier Hey.
2020 Ranking: 3rd Equal.
The team is looking forward to another challenging season and has no illusions of how strong the competition will be. “Playing Southern first up with will be a great test of where we are at” says coach, Chris Leslie.
Three of last year’s players are not available due to work commitments. Will Hayde will be missed up front, along with Gus Wakeling and Xavier Hey in defence.
Jakarta Klebert and Sam Dawson have earned promotion from the Harewood 1st Grade team and Tim Sheed has transferred from Avon.
The group is a mixture of youth and experience with Jono Spence, Matt Crake and goalkeeper Thomas Mallon organising the defence.
The midfield will be led by the experienced Lawrence Darling, along with Andrew Sherratt, Nick, and Hamish Findlay.
An area the team is looking to improve on last year is converting more goals from opportunities created. Strikers Hayden Cox, Richard Bain, Sam Dawson and Garren Fyfe will lead the charge.
Hornby Vipers
Team/Squad: Caleb Booth, Ethan Booth, William Duston, Fletcher Edmond, Jonathan Ellis, Matthew Ellis, Llewellyn Heale, Riley Jennings, Mika Lawrence, William Mace-Cochrane, Josh Mariu, Jayden Maugham, Andrew McNaughtan, Henry Phelps, Zin South, Joshua White, and Simon Yorston.
Management: Sunjay Ganda (coach).
New Players: Caleb Booth, Ethan Booth, Riley Jennings, and Mika Lawrence.
2020 Players not Returning: Liam Andrews, Michael Cook, Jonty Naylor, and Tarn Richards.
2020 Ranking: 5th Equal.
A team consistent in 2020, have the addition of Dunedin brothers Caleb & Ethan Booth, along with Mika Lawrence and Riley Jennings who have arrived from Wellywood, have big plans for 2021.
Sunjay Ganda takes control for the eighth year in succession, his first year the same as a fresh faced fourteen-year-old Will Mace-Cochrane, who leads the side alongside the hardworking Llewey Heale.
Simon Yorston starts the season where he has spent a lot of time recently, in the injury ward, and the sooner last years CPL top goal scorer returns the stronger the Vipers lineup will become.
HSOB/Burnside
Team/Squad: Louis Beckert, Cory Bruin, Jack Gilbert, Scott Gread, Moss Jackson, Angus McGregor, Cambell Mortimer, Felix Rolls, Cameron Ryan, Cameron Slee, Bryce Smith, Cameron Steffert, Guy Strawbridge, Charlie Swan, Jordan Valentine, and Jakob Webb.
Management: Grant Edwards (coach).
New Players: Cambell Mortimer, Cameron Slee, Bryce Smith, and Jordan Valentine.
2020 Players not Returning: Warwick Allen, Oliver Hawker, Matthew Lake, and Dylan Paterson.
2020 Ranking: 5th Equal.
Canterbury Hockey’s very own Wayne Bennett, Grant Edwards, takes the helm of HSOB/Burnside in 2021, under clear instruction from the club hierarchy to deliver the goods.
Old Boys haven’t featured in a finals series since 2016, and will lean heavily on their new coach for direction to get them back into the playoff picture.
Edwards has also secured the services of Bryce Smith, one of the smallest but most formidable players in the competition. Smith was picked up on the transfer market from University over the summer and adds great go forward to the teams mid field.
Scott Gread is once again a formidable sight in deep defence, his flat stick tackle more consistent than a 1pm press conference during lockdown last year. Youngster Charlie Swan will be one to watch after his debut season took the competition by storm.
Marist Musketeers
Team/Squad: George Baker, Joe Bartholomew, Emil Collins, George Connell, Harrison Dilger, Ben Grimshaw, Josh Irwin, Josh Meates, Charlie Morrison, Joey Morrison, Scott Muir, Rupert Naughton, Jayden Rakowitz, and Andrew Ross.
Management: Josh Kumbaroff (coach), Cathy Baker (assistant).
New Players: Emil Collins, Harrison Dilger, Josh Irwin, and Josh Meates.
2020 Players not Returning: Nicholas Brazzale, George Forbes, Lachlan Graham, and Callum Slaven.
2020 Ranking: 1st Place.
The two-time defending champions are gunning for a three-peat, having won the past two finals via penalty shootout against higher ranked teams.
Joe Morrison continues to defy the odds when it comes to size and will use the first few rounds to tune his game before he heads away to contest the newly introduced ‘North vs South’ Black Sticks matches later this month.
Josh Meates returns to the green machine, much to the delight of his Ffather Rob, which should also see the return of the shoulder first tackling technique, while Joe Bartholomew will continue to deliver instructions from the back while allowing the rest of his side to do all the running.
The team will also enjoy a brand-new turf on their home patch, a two-tone green colour that has the Marist faithful hoping the ground can become a fortress much like Mount Smart is for the Warriors.
University of Canterbury Unicorns
Team/Squad: Peter Anderson, Harry Bird, Gus Borren, Adam Cantillon, Toby Grindlay, Tim Hamblin, Paul Horrocks, Jason Hursthouse, Duncan Lane, Liam Litchfield, Sam McClay, Haydon McElligott, Sashin Parag, Will Potter, Amon van-der-Burg, and Hamish van-Dyk.
Management: Greer Donovan.
New Players: Gus Borren, Toby Grindlay, Duncan Lane, Sashin Parag, Will Potter, and Hamish van-Dyk.
2020 Players not Returning: Jonathan Anderson, Oliver Cornelius, Finn Mahon, James Mortimer, Bryce Smith, and William Zhou.
2020 Ranking: 7th Place.
After a 2020 where the side won only two games, the first and the last, University have been hit hard with the departure of two club heros.
Bryce Smith will now wear the white of HSOB/Burnside, while Will Zhou couldn’t fight the homesickness anymore and has headed back to Wellington where he’s making some of the finest burgers in the city.
HNZ Performance Network goalkeeper Hamish van Dyk joins the side as a much-welcomed addition, while the club had to sign star playmaker Jason Hursthouse to an upgraded contract after a number of clubs went after his services in the off season. Van Dyk is one of six new members of the Unicorns.
Southern United Stingers
Team/Squad: Ryan Cosgrove, Cameron Douglas, Ben Dowers, Angus Keast, Callum McGregor, Kevin O'Kane, Ben Owers, Aidan Perry, Liam Porter, Ben Rutherford, Liam Sharp, Brad Shaw, Gareth Stewart, Nick Tweed, Ryan Wallace, and Max Winter.
Management: Ben Owers (player/coach).
New Players: Ryan Cosgrove, Ben Dowers, and Nick Tweed.
2020 Players not Returning: Sam Bennett, Carlos Kershaw, Jonathon Pooch, and William Sharp.
2020 Ranking: 8th Place.
The 2019 President’s Shield winners had a huge fall from grace in 2020, ending the season with the wooden spoon and some serious soul searching over summer.
The side remains mostly the same, with the re-introduction of Ryan Cosgrove, while former Black Stick Brad Shaw is once again a key to their success and has been in the form of his life in the summer master’s competition which should boost confidence.
10 year veteran Ben Owers will assume player/coach duties in the early part of the season, as the club have put faith in the man from Hororata as they look to get off the bottom of the table.