CANBERRA’S top Aeron hockey team has won the Pan Asia Pacific championships in its debut performance on the world stage.

Aeron what? It’s a form of hockey played in more than 200 countries, from an office chair with a hockey stick.

The team from local building company Manteena, was the best of nine teams that competed in a local competition organised by Designcraft in Hume.

From Canberra, Manteena went on to win the national title and then the Pan Asia Pacific title in Hong Kong against the reigning champions from India.

Designcraft sales and marketing manager Halie Rubeni, who accompanied the team to Hong Kong, said: “The Manteena side were always talking strategy and took it very seriously.”

Halie says anything goes in the sport of Aeron hockey.

“If it gets violent, players can get a yellow or red card,” she said.

“The only rule is you can’t hit above seat height.”

Aeron hockey is played by two teams of five on an indoor court measuring 12mx6m on a smooth, hard surface. In 1994, furniture manufacturers Herman Miller created the ergonomic Aeron chair that took the sport to the next level.

Halie said the Canberra-run competition was such a success theyhope to attract more teams to the local competition next year.

“Hopefully, next year it’s bigger and better,” she said.

As part of winning the Pan Asia Pacific title, Designcraft awarded each member of the Manteena team with the iconic Eames lounge chair and ottoman, valued at $5500 each.

“We thought it would be a bit of fun,” Manteena project manager and team captain Peter Jamieson said.

“We didn’t realise it would be this serious.”

Peter says he hopes next year they can defend their title.

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