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It’s been a very busy start to the year for Men’s Black Sticks Coach, Shane McLeod. In order to prepare for the high-pressured Olympic qualifying tournament held at Albany in Auckland in early February, Shane had to guide his team through a physically challenging eight match series against Chile and Japan in January.

Shane’s life is definitely busy now, but when we spoke to him recently, we got the impression that he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I just love the game, really. That’s my main motivator, and we’ve got a big year ahead of us in the lead-up to the Olympics, so we are just working hard at playing good hockey,” Shane explains.

Hockey flows in Shane’s veins

Hockey has been part of Shane’s life since he was a kid. While he didn’t start to play the game until he was 12, he spent many years on the sidelines with his aunt, who was manager of the New Zealand women’s team. “I used to tag along and watch from the sidelines – which was very helpful for when I did start to play, as my previous exposure to the game meant that I was quite good!”

This early success as a player was replicated time and again, throughout Shane’s high school and university years, eventually earning him a place in the New Zealand men’s team from 1995 to 1997.

Making the move to Europe

While Shane loved being part of the national team and competing at the highest level here at home, he also felt drawn to play in Europe, where he had spent several seasons honing his game. “Different players have different needs and I was getting more enjoyment from playing in Europe, so I made the move permanent in 1999,” says Shane.

Shane spent nearly a decade in Europe, playing and coaching, gaining valuable experience and exposure to a different way of playing hockey. “My time in Europe was invaluable, because it showed me how to play with an international mindset. Europe is a hockey powerhouse, and they play in a different way to the way we play here. My significant exposure to both styles of play is really helping me in my current position as coach of the Black Sticks,” Shane says.