Ice Fernz
Ice Fernz is the women's ice hockey team representing New Zealand in international competitions under the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Established in 2005, the team derives its name from the silver tree fern, a symbol of New Zealand. Ice Fernz has faced numerous challenges, including limited financial resources and the scarcity of ice rinks, with the entire country housing fewer than ten facilities. Despite these obstacles, the team has shown consistent improvement, evidenced by their third-place finish in Division IIB at the 2017 World Championships in Iceland.
Historically, organized ice hockey in New Zealand began in 1937, and the women’s team debuted on the international stage in 2005. While the Ice Fernz has yet to achieve significant victories, they have demonstrated resilience and growth, often learning and adapting during tournaments. The team has gained recognition for its strong defensive play and has garnered attention from analysts who view their development positively. As they continue to participate in international events, increased financial support may enhance their competitiveness, reflecting the ongoing evolution of women's ice hockey in New Zealand.
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Ice Fernz
The Ice Fernz, also known as the New Zealand National Ice Hockey Team, is the women's ice hockey team that represents New Zealand at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Women's Championships. At the 2017 World Championships in Iceland, the Ice Fernz finished third in Division IIB (twenty-eighth overall), despite the team (and women's ice hockey in New Zealand in general) lacking significant financial resources and the country as a whole having fewer than ten ice rinks.
Origins and History
Compared to nations in the Northern Hemisphere, national ice hockey in New Zealand is a relatively recent development, and the sport has long lacked adequate training facilities and financial resources in the country. Organised ice hockey events in New Zealand began in 1937 at a rink in Opawa in South Canterbury. Teams there competed for the inaugural Erewhon Cup. Shortly after that tournament, event organisers convened to form the New Zealand Ice Skating Association.
In 1954 the New Zealand Ice Skating Association formed its Ice Hockey Committee, which would oversee the rules and governance of the country's developing ice hockey programs. As interest in the sport grew, the Erewhon Cup tournament was expanded to Canterbury and Otago. New Zealand joined the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in 1977, but it was not until 1986 that New Zealand began organising a national ice hockey structure, the New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation. The team debuted on the international stage at the IIHF's 1987 D Pool World Championships in Perth, Australia, where they finished third.
The Women's National Ice Hockey team debuted in 2005, at a tournament in Dunedin. They were named the Ice Fernz after the silver tree fern, which is indigenous only to New Zealand and frequently serves as a symbol of the country.
Ice Fernz Today
One of the challenges that placed the Ice Fernz at a competitive disadvantage in comparison to other national teams was the fact that women's ice hockey was underfunded, received little coverage in the press and lacked the resources to become a consistently competitive programme. Since its debut in 2005, the Ice Fernz organisation has not reached the later stages of an international tournament. However, although it lacks a victory-laden record on the global stage, it has shown consistent improvement in tournaments.
Like the rest of women's hockey in New Zealand, the Ice Fernz have been constrained by a comparatively short summer season. The team regularly has a very short window for practice. This disadvantage has meant that the Ice Fernz members have been forced to learn and improve while they were in the midst of games and tournaments. For example, the Ice Fernz were ousted from the 2007 IIHF Tournament in Romania, but showed strong performances against Israel and Turkey. Though they lost to eventual tournament winner Croatia, it was only by one goal, with a score of 3–4.
The Ice Fernz have carried this reputation as a "fast-learning" tournament participant into later IIHF tournaments. In the 2017 World Championships, which took place in Akureyri, Iceland, the Ice Fernz had three wins and two losses, and was only shut out in one game, against eventual division winner Mexico. In most of its games, the Ice Fernz played stout defence, thanks largely to the presence of veteran Oamaru defence player Sophia Leon de la Barra. De la Barra, who retired after the 2017 tournament, was a product of the New Zealand women's hockey system, having played in New Zealand for twenty-four years and coached New Zealand's Under-18 team before joining the Ice Fernz. The Ice Fernz came in third in the 2023 World Championships in Cape Town, South Africa. They were defeated by Belgium (4-2) and by Australia (5-2) but won against Croatia (15-1) and South Africa (5-1). The Ice Fernz also came in third in the 2020 World Championships in Iceland.
The New Zealand Senior Women's National Ice Hockey team is, in comparison to most international competitors (particularly in the Northern Hemisphere), considered by experts to be a team in development. This fact means that the team's success is not measured by victories but by overall growth. The Ice Fernz have, according to analysts, demonstrated this growth—during several appearances at IIHF events, the team has finished either second or third in its division with improved scoring and defence. This improvement means greater financial investments in the team that will likely help the Ice Fernz build on its development and accomplishments.
Bibliography
"Ice Fernz, New Zealand's National Women's Ice Hockey Team." New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation, 2017, nzicehockey.co.nz/national-teams/ice-fernz/. Accessed 24 Nov. 2017.
"New Zealand." International Ice Hockey Federation, www.iihf.com/iihf-home/countries/new-zealand.html. Accessed 6 Dec. 2017.
"New Zealand Women's Hockey—A View from the Outside." The Other Half Media, 27 July 2015, otherhalfsports.com/2015/07/new-zealand-womens-hockey-a-view-from-the-outside/. Accessed 24 Nov. 2017.
"Oamaru Player to Represent Ice Fernz at World Champs." The Timaru Herald, 25 Jan. 2016, www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/76158467/oamaru-player-to-represent-ice-fernz-at-world-champs. Accessed 24 Nov. 2017.
Robb, Anna. "Bronze Medal for Central's Ice Fernz." The Central App, 28 Feb. 2023, centralapp.nz/NewsStory/bronze-medals-for-centrals-ice-fernz/63fd7c728fa3330028d96c90. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
Whitehouse, Rhona. New Zealand Ice Skating Association (Inc.): 50th Jubilee 1937–1987. New Zealand Ice Skating Association, 1987. NZIFSA, www.nzifsa.org.nz/info/history/NZISA-50th-Jubilee-1987.pdf. Accessed 6 Dec. 2017.