19/09/2026
π NHC CHAMPIONS! π
WHAT. A. DAY. FOR MANAWATU. ππ€
Two teams. Two huge games. Two incredible results.
Our Emeralds Women are the 2026 Tier 1 NHC CHAMPIONS, while our Men have secured their place in Tier 2 for 2027!
π MANAWATU EMERALDS β NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Manawatu 3β3 Canterbury
Manawatu win shootout 4β3
THEYβVE DONE IT! ππ€
After an incredible final against Canterbury, our Emeralds Women are National Champions for the first time since 1992!
Both teams created opportunities throughout the first half, but neither could find the breakthrough as the game remained scoreless heading into the second half.
Canterbury eventually broke the deadlock with a drag flick, but the response from Manawatu was immediate, with Michaela Curtis finding the back of the net to bring the game level.
With 10 minutes remaining, Anna Willocks put Manawatu ahead with a composed finish to make it 2β1.
Canterbury then piled on the pressure, earning penalty corner after penalty corner and eventually finding the equaliser before taking the lead with just four minutes remaining.
But these Manawatu women simply would not give up.
With the clock ticking down, Michaela Curtis produced a moment of individual brilliance to find the back of the net and level the game at 3β3 in the final minute. π₯
That sent the National Championship final to a shootout.
The pressure was enormous, but Charlotte Dunn-Hall and our shootout takers were exceptional, showing incredible composure when it mattered most.
And then Megan Gibson stepped up and produced the clean finish that sealed it.
MANAWATU ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! πππ€
What an achievement from this group.
After finishing runners-up in 2025, the Emeralds have gone one step further in 2026 and brought the Tier 1 National Championship back to Manawatu for the first time in 34 years.
ππ€ MANAWATU MEN
Manawatu 1β1 Auckland
ManawatΕ« win shootout
While the Women were fighting for gold, our Men were fighting to stay in Tier 2.
And they started with a bang.
Manawatu found the back of the net in the first quarter and controlled the game extremely well, taking a 1β0 lead into the final quarter.
Auckland fought back strongly and eventually found the equaliser with 10 minutes remaining, sending the game to yet another shootout for our Men.
But this time, the result went our way. π
Our Men held their nerve and came away with the shootout victory over Auckland, securing their place in Tier 2 for 2027.
A massive result for a team that fought right until the final whistle.
ππ€ WHAT A DAY FOR MANAWATU
From fighting for a National Championship to fighting to stay in Tier 2, both teams showed the heart, determination and fight that makes us so proud to call them our own.
Both teams have represented Manawatu with immense pride throughout this NHC campaign.
A huge thank you also goes to Brandon Roach, Tara Pickering, Warren Phillips, Marcus Emery, Jenny Whitworth and Rae-Ann Beaman for everything you have put into these teams throughout the campaign.
Your work, time and commitment does not go unnoticed. π
And finally, to everyone who supported our teams throughout NHC, whether you were in Wellington, watching from home, following the scores or cheering from the sidelines, thank you.
Today belongs to everyone who has played a part.
1992 β 2026.
34 YEARS LATER, THE EMERALDS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. πππ€
MANAWATU PROUD. MANAWATU STRONG.
