In the school holidays I went off to Japan to play ice hockey for a Canterbury team called the Canterbury kiwis.

We competed against 8 other teams from different countries from across the world, from America to Canada to Czechoslovakia and lots more. I enjoyed the experience of playing other teams and improving my game. I got to trade some of my spare jerseys for other teams and that was one of my highlights.

I found the culture very interesting, for example having your shoes in a pair and facing them out to the door to show respect and it means that you do not live at the house too. The people are so nice there and welcoming and polite.

The team did amazingly well. The team performed a haka before each game (on ice skates)! Some of the results of the games: 

NZ VS AUSTRALIA (Melbourne Gliders) 14-3 win to Nz
NZ vs Japan 4-0 to NZ
NZ vs Hudson USA 5-5
Nz vs Canada 6-5

Riley McKenzie