16 Year Old Makes Black Sticks and History
BLACK STICKS WOMEN OCEANIA CUP TEAM NAMED - 18 October 2005 The outstanding goal scoring form of Northland sixteen year old Charlotte Harrison has been recognised by her inclusion in the Black Sticks Women’s team to meet Australia in the three test Oceania Cup Series which begins in Auckland on Sunday 30 October 2005.            The teenager was one of the leading goal scorers in the just completed National Hockey League, with five goals.  Harrison is in the fifth form at Whangarei Girls High School and is believed to be the youngest Women’s player selected for the National side.  She is the only new cap in the side.   Harrison is a member of the New Zealand Under 16 TigerTurf Girls team.  She scored seven goals for the side during their recent three match series in New Zealand, against the Queensland Under 16 team. She is also a member of the Northland Under 18 team and is in her second year with the Northland NHL Women’s hockey team, having debuted as a 15-year-old last year.   Black Sticks Coach Ian Rutledge said Harrison had been selected in recognition of her goal scoring potential and for her pace and skill level.   Rutledge has also made several other interesting additions to his latest team, bringing in several experienced players to balance the mix of youth and experience.  The players have not played for New Zealand this year, but have shown outstanding form in the National Hockey League which finished on Sunday.   The first, Canterbury midfielder Michelle Hollands (nee Turner), returns to top level hockey after having a baby.  Hollands (31), returned to provincial hockey this year for the Cats.  She last played for New Zealand at the 2002 World Cup.  She was a member of the Sydney Olympic team and has played 82 games for New Zealand.   Ian Rutledge said: “Hollands brings a hard nosed, level headedness to the side and will add stability to the midfield.”   Rutledge brings further experience and tenacity to his half line with the second inclusion of another Sydney Olympian, Caryn Paewai, who has played 110 games for New Zealand.  Paewai, (30), last played for the National side at the 2004 Olympic Qualifying tournament in Auckland and was unlucky to not make the final cut for the Athens Olympics after the side was reduced from 18 to 16 players in accordance with Olympic regulations.  She was unavailable for selection earlier this year.  Paewai was voted Most Valuable Women’s Player of the NHL, by her contemporaries.   Central striker Moira Senior (also a Sydney Olympian), returns to the side, after an injury break.  The 29-year-old last played for New Zealand at the 2004 Champions Trophy and has 112 caps.  Top penalty corner striker Niniwa Roberts-Lang also returns from injury, after missing the Indira Gandhi tournament.  She was the top goal scorer in the NHL.   Diana Weavers is another making a return from injury.  She has not played for New Zealand this year.  With 156 caps, she will bring experience to the defence alongside Clarissa Eshuis and Lizzy Igasan.   In other inclusions of note, Auckland striker Krystal Forgesson (23) retains her position, after debuting for New Zealand at the Indira Gandhi tournament earlier this month.  The other least capped players are Canterbury defender Eshuis who made her debut against the USA in New Zealand in May (11 caps); and Auckland defender Frances Kreft (19 caps).   The team’s average number of caps is 66.   National Coach Ian Rutledge said the team was the culmination of a period of player development and described it as the most exciting team he had named.   The first test will be played at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium, Auckland at 1.15pm on Sunday 30 October. Tests Two and Three will be played in Sydney on November 3 and 5.   The winner of the Series earns direct entry into next year’s World Cup to be held in Spain in September.  The losing side must take a longer route through the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Italy in April/May.   Australia, like New Zealand returned this month from competing at the Indira Gandhi tournament.             The Hockeyroos won the tournament, but were far from the dominant force they are accustomed to being at this level of tournament, only defeating India on strokes in the final after the score was tied up 2-2 at full-time.  Australia are however, unbeaten in 2005, following their North American tour in June, the seven match series against Korea in August and the Indira Gandhi tournament.             The Black Sticks, the 2005 Champions Challenge champions, finished a disappointing fourth at the Indira Gandhi Tournament in New Delhi earlier this month, but the side was a developmental one which included three new caps and 11 players with under 20 caps.            The Black Sticks team (NHL Team in brackets): Goal keepers – Anita Wawatai (Central), Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington);  Fullbacks – Diana Weavers (Midlands), Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour) Clarissa Eshuis (Waikato);  Half backs – Emily Naylor (Central), Suzie Muirhead (Wellington), Frances Kreft (Auckland), Caryn Paewai (Central);  Midfield – Stacey Carr (Canterbury), Michelle Hollands (Canterbury), Meredith Orr (Canterbury), Kayla Sharland (Central);  Strikers – Honor Dillon (Canterbury), Krystal Forgesson (Auckland), Charlotte Harrison (Northland), Moira Senior (Central), Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington).