New Zealand will not participate in the next season of the FIH Pro League — despite having earned qualification through recent victories in the Nations Cup.
Hockey New Zealand (HNZ) announced the decision following ongoing concerns about the competition’s format, which it described as “expensive” and “travel-heavy” and ultimately misaligned with high-performance goals.
Pakistan has been invited to take New Zealand’s place to join the 2025-26 Pro League edition. The Pakistan Hockey Association has been given a deadline of Aug 12 to inform the FIH of their decision.
Pakistan was thrown out of the inaugural league, while lack of finances and reports of mismanagement have since plagued the federation.
Acting HNZ chief executive Ken Maplesden said the current Pro League structure presents “structural barriers” for geographically isolated nations like New Zealand, limiting both sustainability and athlete wellbeing.
Hockey NZ also saw elite funding cut by over £650,000 after the women failed to qualify for Paris and the men couldn’t win a game at the 2024 Games. Its men’s and women’s national teams had qualified for the Pro League via the Nations Cup.
“This wasn’t taken lightly. We’re proud of what both teams achieved to qualify,” Maplesden said. “But after consultation with athletes and staff, it became clear the Pro League isn’t workable for us right now.”
New Zealand’s men’s team had secured their Pro League spot with a Nations Cup win in June, while the women qualified with a similar victory in March.
Maplesden criticised the league’s format for limiting home games and placing heavy burdens on travel, noting, “It doesn’t support the sustainable, athlete-first programme we’re building in New Zealand.”
This sentiment was echoed by Black Sticks men’s coach Greg Nicol, who said the withdrawal was in line with New Zealand’s broader aim of prioritising “wellbeing, smart preparation, and long-term success”.
“We want to play the best, but not at the cost of people or the programme,” Nicol said.
Hockey New Zealand has long called for reforms to the Pro League structure and continues to advocate for a model that is more inclusive and flexible. While the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is currently reviewing the league’s format, no concrete changes have been implemented.
The New Zealand Hockey Players Association (NZHPA) has voiced its support for the decision, with executive manager Glen Sulzberger saying players “desperately” want to compete at the top level but not under current conditions.
“That right to participate should not come at such a high cost to them as players, and also to the game in New Zealand,” Sulzberger stated. “What is clear is that the Pro League does not meet its original objectives, nor has it evolved to become a viable competition. The FIH is failing its duty to the game.”
Black Sticks player Sam Lane admitted the withdrawal was “disappointing” but called on the FIH to listen more closely to athletes’ concerns.
From a Hockey Supporter point of view the decision to pull out was extremly disappointing. Perhaps someone should come up with a solution or at least put forward an alternative.