Kiwi Hockey Player Emily Naylor optimistic for Gold Medal in National Hockey League
After winning the first ever silver medal in the Champions Trophy, Emily Naylor, an outstanding player of New Zealand, has been back in action and ready to don the colours for Central Mysticks in the National Hockey League starting from Saturday, July 30.
Black Sticks Women’s skipper Kayla Sharland and Emily Naylor will contest the first two games of the event in Dunedin against Southern and Wellington. Naylor has served the New Zealand team as a vice-captain and was quite happy in working under Sharland.
Naylor has had 158 international caps in her professional career for the Black Sticks women and is looking for a double century. Speaking to the media, the veteran mid-field player was of the opinion that she wanted to participate in the 2012 London Olympics.
She said, “I want to go to the London Olympics. I really enjoy all of the travelling but you do get a bit sick of the training.”
She is quite ready to grace the colours for her team after spending a short period in France following the Champions Trophy held few weeks ago in Dutch city of Amsterdam. The Black Sticks women after the National League will contest a five-match series against
USA. Following that they will contest the Oceania Olympic Games Qualifiers in the Australian city of Hobart.
Besides playing hockey, she is a student of Otago Polytechnic for a Business Certificate. She had done her degree from Massey University in the field of business. She will not have much time to rest, as the next Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in
Argentina. She has been picked up as Ambassador of the Olympic Games which increased her responsibilities.
Naylor and Sharland are quite pleased over the decision of Tara Drysdale – the former player of Black Sticks women’s squad – for taking the reins of the Mysticks in the tournament. She applauded the game of Drysdale saying, “She is pretty experienced and
a good leader. National League will be a little step down but I'm looking forward to it.”
Caryn Paewai, Piki Hamahona and Melody Cooper are coming into the tournament after leading the South Australian side. On the other hand, Alice Naylor and Verity Sharland will grace the colours for North Harbour. Furthermore, Greg Nicol is being picked up
for Central Mavericks.
The squad of Central Mysticks is comprised of Emily Naylor, Alice Naylor, Sara Crofoot, Kayla Sharland, Tara Drysdale, Charlotte Edwards, Elizabeth Horne, Piki Hamahona, Shareena Nana, Caryn Paewai, Verity Sharland, Michaela Curtis, Amanda Pottinger, Melody
Cooper, Angela Scott, Erin Weber, Bridgette Allen and Karri McMahon.
Tags: