.png){kind=small}
2026 ASIA-OCEANIA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
TARANAKI WOMEN - LISHUI, CHINA
.png)
ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2026 Asia-Oceania Club Championships were the inaugural edition of the intercontinental club competition, held in Lishui, China. The tournament brought together clubs from across Asia and Oceania, including Taranaki Rink Hockey from New Zealand.
After winning the 2025 National Women's Championship, Taranaki earned the opportunity to compete internationally. The team reached the women's semi-finals before losing 3–1 to Scorpions Kwinana RHC. The finals and third-place matches were later cancelled due to severe weather and a typhoon alert, with Taranaki recorded as joint third-place finishers.
THE TEAM
Haylee Bedford (C)
Agnes Artus-Ratera
Jemma Bates
Ellen Fletcher
Rebecca Langridge
Hannah Lincoln
Aurelia Opai
Heather Patient
Teal Broughton (GK)
Ruth Opai (GK)
Coach: Fernando Pontiero Hernandez
Manager: Gwendalena Stuart
THE JOURNEY
In August 2026, the Taranaki Women's team made the journey from New Zealand to Lishui, China for their first international club championship.
The team arrived in Shanghai before travelling south to Lishui, where they settled in, trained and prepared for the tournament ahead.
Away from the rink, the team had the opportunity to experience Chinese culture, explore Lishui and connect with teams from across Asia and Oceania. From their first training session in China through to the semi-finals, it was an unforgettable journey both on and off the rink — creating memories and experiences that will stay with the team long after the tournament.
THE GAMES
ON THE RINK IN LISHUI
Taranaki kicked off their campaign in Group A with a close 4–3 defeat against Japanese club GFC. However, they made a remarkable comeback in their second match, dominating China’s Bingo Skate Club with a 13–0 win, which allowed them to advance to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, their tournament concluded in the semi-finals with a 3–1 loss to Australia’s Scorpions Kwinana RHC. The finals and third-place matches were ultimately cancelled due to flooding and a typhoon warning in the Lishui region.
GROUP STAGE
Taranaki NZ 3 – 4 GFC Japan
Taranaki NZ 13 – 0 Bingo Skate Club China
SEMI-FINAL
Scorpions Kwinana AUS 3 – 1 Taranaki NZ
THE RESULT
JOINT THIRD PLACE
Taranaki finished as joint third-place finishers alongside Vitoria Clube de Macau after the remaining finals were cancelled due to the severe weather conditions.
