Hockey World Cup 2023: CPA Leon Hayward, who plays in his spare time, dropped India

Almost 20 minutes into the penalty shootout, Leon Hayward cleared Shamsher Singhs first attempt, pushed the shot off the rebound and raced across to throw his body as the Indian looked set for a final goal. But the shout went and India was at a crossroads. The cheers and whistles of the 15,000+ in the Kalinga Stadium were drowned out.

What Hayward describes as the greatest moment of his hockey career was a nightmare to forget for local partisan residents. Hayward dropped his stick, took off his gloves and hit an awkward-looking cross, a popular dance move. Even before he could finish his jig, his climbing New Zealand teammates were climbing around him.

Hayward was the star of the shootout. Amateur and semi-professional hockey players have had moments to remember this World Cup, but the 32-year-old Haywards’ accomplishment will likely be talked about for some time to come.

The accountant from Auckland, who plays hockey in his spare time, saved five of eight penalties after a 3-3 draw in regulation time, during which he sat on the bench throughout. Starting keeper Dominic Dixon had done his part earlier with five saves in limiting the fancied Indian attack.

And to make the moment sweeter, he was in a goalkeeping duel with PR Sreejesh, whom he looked up to. The whole experience of being in India and playing against India is really special. Sreejesh is someone I like a lot and I followed what he did. So this is probably the greatest moment I’ve experienced in hockey, Hayward tells Sportstar. I was going to greet Sreejesh and [Krishan] Pathak, but then I was too nervous, to be honest, and I tried to be really sick (laughs). it was a big moment.

Hayward had come on in the second half of all Pool games and started off the bench again on Sunday. Hayward says it was quite difficult to get into match mode after a full day. But I had done my homework and was concentrating on the notes I had taken. That’s where I felt my confidence come from, knowing that I was prepared for this situation even if it hadn’t happened.

Hayward has held a number of financial and coaching roles in hockey over the years before landing a full-time role at Finnz Chartered Accountants in Waikato. So that’s my day job [accountant] and this is what I do [hockey] in my free time, which is pretty crazy. But if they have HIL [Hockey India League] contracts ready and come knocking, I’m ready to come, he says.

Hayward calls it a demanding job where he works and then plays hockey 10-15 hours a week, which is not as much time as a professional player. When there is also work, it is quite difficult to leave that time aside, he says.

The New Zealand player celebrates with goalkeeper Leon Hayward after beating India in Sunday’s divisional series

I am lucky to have a very flexible employer. When I have time to go there for a week, I spend a week with them, other times I can do 3-4 hours a day. Other times they are pretty good with me letting me fiddle with my hockey. Without them I don’t think it would be possible. I’m lucky to have two amazing bosses, Greg and Alan. The whole team really cares and understands my situation and my dreams, added Hayward.

Hayward is the older brother of Australian defender Jeremy, who scored a hat-trick in the Kookaburras’ opening game. Leon also arrived in Australia in 2014 before moving to New Zealand in 2019 and making himself available to Blacksticks through his mother. Her mother Ellie was also a hockey player.

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His parents had flown down to Bhubaneswar to watch Jeremy in action, but surprised Leon in Rourkela for the next day’s team match against Chile. On Sunday, they were in the stands in Bhubaneswar to watch Leon in New Zealand.

Younger brother Jeremys Australia has also advanced to the playoffs, and Leon says he would love to experience the opportunity to face his siblings at the World Cup. But before that, defending champions Belgium await New Zealand next.