Mark Hager names Women’s hockey squad of New Zealand for Champions Trophy
Mark Hager, the head coach of the women’s field hockey team of New Zealand, finalised an eighteen-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in June-July 2011 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The Champions Trophy, which will remain in action from June 25 to July 03, is one of the majors FIH (International Hockey Federations) tournaments in the 2011 calendar.
Mark Hager deeply reviewed the performances of the national players in the last three homes series. The Black Sticks played thirteen matches against Japan, Korea and the defending champions, Argentina. After trials, the coach finalised eighteen names
for the upcoming mega event.
Anna Thorpe, Sally Rutherford, Alana Millington, Cathryn Finlayson and Sophie Devine will make their debut in the 2011 Champions Trophy. Along with the new faces, some experienced and legendary players including Clarissa Eshuis, Krystal Forgesson,
Emily Naylor and Kayla Sharland will also join the national squad.
Kayla Sharland, the co-captain and legendary player, was of the opinion that the home series were quite strong. However, they would have to continue their hard training in the next two months in order to prepare themselves for the mega event. All the
players in the team are very motivated and committed with the game.
New Zealand is featured with Germany, Australia and the host, Netherlands, in the Group B, while Group A is comprised of China, South Korea, England and the World Champions, Argentina.
Sharland further stated that they would be among the top four teams in the event if they win two out of total three games in the group stage. She, however, said that the task would not be much easy despite they had played wonderful games in the recent
competitions.
Hager while speaking to the media persons said that though they displayed impressive shows in the home series but the level of the game would be higher in the Champions Trophy.
He stated, “We have had some strong test series over the last few months, but the level of competition at Champions Trophy will be world class and if we want to place in the top six, we need to be playing at our very best.”
The coach has also called two players, namely Petrea Webster of North Harbour and Laura Douglas of Northland, in the practice matches against China, Netherlands and Germany prior to the Champions Trophy.
In his views, the team will get great confidence in the practice games and it would be a great chance for them to assess their game plan.
Meanwhile, the coach also named a Development squad that is going to contest a four-match series against Japan in their home soil. There are two names, including Anna Thorpe and Ella Gunson, who are included in both the teams.
Tags: