Sam Hiha

Sam Hiha
Personal information
Full name Samuel Ruruarau Hiha
Born (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 (age 27)
Napier, New Zealand
Playing position Forward
Senior career
Years Team
2016–2019 Central
2020– Central Falcons
National team
Years Team Caps Goals
2016–2018 New Zealand U–21 16 (4)
2021– New Zealand 18 (2)
Medal record
Men's field hockey
Representing  New Zealand
Oceania Cup
Silver medal – second place 2023 Whangārei

Samuel Ruruarau Hiha (born 26 August 1997)[1] is a New Zealand field hockey player,[2] who plays as a forward.[3][4]

Personal life

Sam Hiha was born and raised in Napier, New Zealand.[3]

Hiha is a graduate of Napier Boys' High School.[5]

His grandmother Margaret Hiha, coach in 1983 Women's Hockey World Cup.[6][7][8]

Career

Domestic competitions

Ford NHL

Sam Hiha was a member of the Central Mavericks in the Ford National Hockey League (NHL), representing the team from 2016 to 2019. During his time with the team, Hiha won bronze medal in the 2016 edition of the tournament.[9]

Premier Hockey League

Following the overhaul of the NHL and subsequent introduction of the Premier Hockey League, Hiha was named in the Central Falcons.[10][11] The league's inaugural edition was held in 2020, with the team taking home a gold medal.[12][13]

National teams

Under-21

In 2016, Hiha made two appearances for the New Zealand U-21 team. His first was at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, followed by the FIH Junior World Cup in Lucknow.[14]

Two years later, in 2018, Hiha again represented the Under-21 team at the Sultan of Johor Cup.[5][14]

Black Sticks

In 2020, Hiha was named in the Black Sticks squad for the first time, however due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic he made no international appearances.[4]

Hiha was again named in the national squad in December 2020, for the 2021 Olympic year.[15][16]

References

  1. ^ "Team Details – New Zealand". tms.fih.ch. International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Sam Hiha – Player Info". fihproleague.com. FIH Pro League. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b "SAM HIHA". blacksticksnz.co.nz. Vantage Black Sticks. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b "HIHA Sam". fihproleague.com. FIH Pro League. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Hockey: Turf teen finds traction". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  6. ^ "From rugby lover to making the Hiha name proud -". Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Marg Hiha - a woman of her time, a woman ahead of her time". NZ Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  8. ^ "HIHA Margaret". FIH.
  9. ^ "HIHA Sam". hockeynz.altiusrt.com. Hockey New Zealand. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Central Falcons" (PDF). blacksticksnz.co.nz. Vantage Black Sticks. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Manawatū flavour to Central Falcons in new Premier Hockey League". stuff.co.nz. stuff. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  12. ^ "2020 Sentinel Homes Premier Hockey League Men". hockeynz.altiusrt.com. Hockey New Zealand. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Keepers play star roles as Central Falcons claim premier hockey title in shootout thriller". stuff.co.nz. stuff. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  14. ^ a b "HIHA Sam". tms.fih.ch. International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Wilson back in Black Sticks for first time since 2016". Otago Daily Times. Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  16. ^ "From rugby lover to making the Hiha name proud". blacksticksnz.co.nz. Vantage Black Sticks. Retrieved 20 April 2021.