New Zealand Women’s hockey team confirmed for Champions Trophy
A wave of joy swept among the Women’s team of New Zealand following a decision from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to extend the Women’s Champions Trophy tournament from six to eight teams.
The Women’s squad of New Zealand will take part at the 2011 Champions Trophy in Amsterdam. International Hockey Federation (FIH) approached the Netherlands the host of the Champions Trophy and asked to expand the tournament to include two more squads. The
next two ranked teams – China and New Zealand will be included in the tournament as per the FIH decision.
The Black Sticks Women’s hockey team, which stood at 6th place in the Champions Trophy 2010, had not competed in 2007, 2008 and 2009 editions. The New Zealand’s women hockey team won two gold medals in the Champions Challenge and another two victories
in the Oceania Hockey Cup.
The Women’s hockey team of New Zealand clinched a silver medal in 2002 and a bronze medal in 2010 Commonwealth Games, which signified that the game is moving towards betterment.
The coach of the New Zealand women’s team, Mark Hager in a delighted state said that this was a fantastic opportunity and a great encouragement to their emerging hockey programme which they developed for the London Olympics in 2012.
Mark Hager further said, “There is a real difference in the level of competition between the two tournaments and being invited to the Champions Trophy means we can play the best teams in the world for the second year running, which is great experience for
the players.”
Eight hockey teams are going to take part in the Champions Trophy 2011: South Korea, Australia, England, Netherlands, Germany, China, New Zealand and Argentina. However, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has not introduced the format of Men’s Champions
Trophy so far.
The New Zealand women’s hockey team captain Kayla Sharland also expressed pleasures over the decision saying that hockey which was considered an amateur game in New Zealand would be lifted up in the country. She further said that the chances to play in Europe
will open new doors and give financial assistance to the players.
It is a great opportunity for the women’s hockey squad of New Zealand to prove itself the best in the region.
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