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Leon Hayward (born 23 April 1990) is an Australian-born New Zealand field hockey player, who plays as a goalkeeper.
He is the older brother of Kookaburras defender, Jeremy Hayward. His mother, Ellie, is of New Zealand descent.
He made his debut for the Black Sticks in 2019, during a test series against Japan in Stratford, New Zealand.
He was part of the New Zealand hockey squad which competed in the men's field hockey tournament during the 2020 Summer Olympics. It also marked his maiden appearance at the Olympic Games. He was also a member of the New Zealand hockey squad which competed in the men's field hockey tournament during the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It also eventually marked his maiden appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
He was also named in the New Zealand squad for the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup and it also marked his maiden FIH Hockey World Cup appearance. During the 2023 Hockey World Cup, he played a clinical and important role which helped New Zealand to qualify to the quarter-final of the competition. He did not start in the playing XI in any of the matches at the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup as he was benched in favour of first-choice goal-keeper Dom Dixon. He played a huge role in New Zealand's stunning victory over hosts India in the crossover match during the 2023 World Cup which ended up in a penalty shootout where he made five saves out of eight penalties which effectively eliminated India out of the tournament. He came off the bench as a replacement to Dixon during the course of the decisive penalty shootout after both teams drew level at 3-3 before the final whistle was blown.
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