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Meet the NZ hockey player who makes marmalade with his nana to support his sporting dreams

New Zealand players are currently amateur, but the national body is working towards getting their stars semi-pro.

Black Sticks players could be in for a financial boost thanks to New Zealand Hockey’s efforts to improve the status of its players.

Being a Black Stick is a privilege but it also comes as a financial strain for many players due to the amateur status currently in New Zealand, but 1 NEWS understands that could change with NZ Hockey currently working towards getting their players to a semi-professional level.

The move could significantly help players like junior Black Stick Hamish McGeorge who currently pays for his hockey ambitions with the help of his grandma.

The 21-year-old and Nana Rae have been selling homemade marmalade to help him pay his way in the Junior Black Sticks as well as attend a Black Sticks camp.

"It’s obviously every young kid in New Zealand’s dream to represent your country and put the silver fern on your chest," he said.

"But with this, it just gives me a bit of a booster to get there."

It's a common problem for most of New Zealand’s top hockey players who have to try hold down jobs and train full time.

But hope is on the horizon.

Hockey NZ and the players association are currently working through renewing their memorandum of understanding with one of the key topics getting the Black Sticks onto semi-professional contracts.

NZ Hockey players association executive manager Glen Sulzberger says it’s not just an issue here.

"The challenge is that the sport is going through a bit of a transition from amateur to professional and it's trying to work through those issues."

One of those issues being that players are competing in tournaments all around the world for most of the year which is a difficult situation while trying to keep employers happy.

Black Sticks midfielder Pippa Hayward is in her tenth year of study but has seen the struggles for those who work and play.

"It definitely does takes its toll on the players," said Hayward.

"You're constantly having to ask for time off, time and time again and you are missing out on that income because you obviously have to take time off without pay."

Sulzberger says as long as Hockey NZ continues moving forward, the outcome will be positive.

"I think as long as there is an intent to try and make sure there's good support around the players in a semi-professional way, then that would be a really positive outcome for the sport."

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