The Otago Hockey Club is attempting to break the record for the world’s largest hockey game. The record attempt, scheduled for Friday 15th, has docked over 250 registered participants, exceeding the previously held record of 134 players.
According to Adam Walker, an organiser of the event, the record attempt is being performed under the International Hockey Federation rules.
“It has to played under FIH rules, which state you have to have between seven and 11 players on the field at any one time. So every player must be on the field for at least 10 minutes and must touch the ball. The way we have it set up is we have eight groups playing between 4pm and midnight, so about 18 to 20 in each group,” says Mr Walker.
The event is part of ongoing fundraising aimed at installing new electronic scoreboards for Otago Hockey Club, with an aim to install the new boards before an upcoming Under-21-year-old tournament. The club is hoping to raise between $5000 and $7000.
The event has attracted a number of community representatives and notable hockey players, including former Black Sticks.
When asked if the record-attempt could become an annual event, organiser Adam Walker said they would have to see the outcome of this attempt, however if the number of players currently registered turn up, the club hopes to “obliterate” the previous record.
“We will have to wait and see how we go with breaking this record, which is currently held by an English school at 134 players and we currently have 263 registered. So if all goes to plan we won’t just break it, we will completely obliterate this record,” says Walker.