P R E S S R E L E A S E
21 October, 2003
TELECOM BLACK STICKS SQUAD
NAMED FOR ATHENS OLYMPICS
CAMPAIGN
Telecom Black Sticks Coach Ian Rutledge today named a squad of 25 to prepare for the 2004 Athens Olympics, the first step being next March’s Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland.
Rutledge and fellow selectors Jude Rawcliffe and Chris Leslie named the side after watching the country’s best in the Lion Foundation New Zealand Hockey League over the last five weeks. The League finished on Sunday.
The new Squad includes eight players from outside the New Zealand Squad of 24 named in April. They are Stacey Carr, Priya Bhikha, Sheree Phillips, Connie Igasan, Anne-Marie Irving, Rachel Robertson, Leisen Jobe and Lisa Walton.
Four were not members of the earlier squad but have played for NZ this year, after being introduced at the Three Nation Tournament against Japan and Korea in Japan in September. They are Carr, a Canterbury midfielder; Igasan, a North Harbour striker; Bhikha and Phillips both Wellington defenders.
The other more experienced group of four were selected on the basis of their outstanding form during the Lion Foundation NZHL. Jobe, a North Harbour defender and Walton, an Auckland striker, both last played for NZ in 2001 and have 73 and 72 caps respectively. The two Canterbury players, Irving, a goal keeper, and Robertson a midfielder, both played in 2002 and have 51 and 14 caps respectively.
National Coach Ian Rutledge says he is excited about the 25 players named: “I believe the quality of players is extremely high – we have immense depth, experience and talent. We have named a squad with the definite ability to take us to Athens.”
The full squad of 25 will assemble for a training camp in Auckland on Sunday 16 November to prepare for the Test Series against Argentina at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium on Saturday 22 November and Sunday 23 November.
The seven players not named in the 18 to meet Argentina will leave the camp on Wednesday19 September. The 18 players will be named next week.
The full squad will reassemble for a six week training camp in Christchurch from January 26 to March 8. The 25 players will stay together for the duration of the six weeks. The 18-strong team to play at the Women’s Hockey Qualifying Tournament in Auckland from March 19 to March 28 will be named during the camp.
By gathering the full squad together Ian Rutledge is aiming to develop more depth in the women’s game by exposing a wider group to coaching concepts and practices.
Rutledge also named a New Zealand Development Squad of 10 players to prepare for Junior World Cup Qualification against Australia late next year. Eight of the players are young enough to compete against Australia. Two, Nikki Grimwood and Pania Mateparae will not be eligible, but are included for future development.
The Telecom New Zealand Squad: Helen Clarke, Meredith Orr, Karen Syddall, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Stacey Carr, Amanda Christie, Jo Galletly, Ann-Marie Irving, Rachel Robertson, Diana Weavers (Canterbury), Tara Drysdale, Melody Rowe, Kayla Sharland, Rachel Sutherland, Anita Wawatai, (Manawatu), Connie Igasan, Lizzy Igasan, Leisen Jobe, Jaimee Provan (North Harbour), Priya Bhikha, Beth Jurgeleit, Caryn Paewai, Suzie Pearce, Sheree Phillips, Niniwa Roberts-Lang. (Wellington).
The New Zealand Development Squad: Roberta Thornley, Jessica Brewster, Frances Kreft, Jan Rowsell, Elizabeth Ryan, Caroline Stewart, (Auckland) Emily Naylor, Pania Mateparae
(Manawatu), Kate Mahon (North Harbour), Nikki Grimwood (Canterbury).
Ends
For further information:
Ian Rutledge Ramesh Patel
Black Sticks Coach Chief Executive
027 228 4273 (mobile) 0274 828 184 (mobile)
09 629 2932 (work) 09 629 2932 (work)
Telecom Black Sticks
NZ Women’s Hockey Squad
|
Name |
Province |
Caps |
|
Priya Bhikha |
Wellington |
4 |
|
Stacey Carr |
Canterbury |
4 |
|
Amanda Christie |
Canterbury |
39 |
|
Helen Clarke |
Auckland |
146 |
|
Tara Drysdale |
Manawatu |
42 |
|
Jo Galletly |
Canterbury |
9 |
|
Connie Igasan |
North Harbour |
4 |
|
Lizzy Igasan |
North Harbour |
37 |
|
Anne-Marie Irving |
Canterbury |
51 |
|
Leisen Jobe |
North Harbour |
73 |
|
Beth Jurgeleit |
Wellington |
2 |
|
Meredith Orr |
Auckland |
32 |
|
Caryn Paewai |
Hawkes Bay |
100 |
|
Suzie Pearce |
Wellington |
181 |
|
Sheree Phillips |
Wellington |
3 |
|
Jaimee Provan |
North Harbour |
64 |
|
Niniwa Roberts-Lang |
Wellington |
58 |
|
Rachel Robertson |
Canterbury |
14 |
|
Melody Rowe |
Manawatu |
16 |
|
Kayla Sharland |
Manawatu |
16 |
|
Rachel Sutherland |
Manawatu |
74 |
|
Karen Syddall |
Auckland |
15 |
|
Lisa Walton |
Auckland |
72 |
|
Anita Wawatai |
Manawatu |
6 |
|
Diana Weavers |
Canterbury |
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
Development Squad |
||
|
Jessica Brewster |
Auckland |
- |
|
Nikki Grimwood |
Canterbury |
8 |
|
Frances Kreft |
Auckland |
3 |
|
Kate Mahon |
North Harbour |
- |
|
Pania Mateparae |
Manawatu |
- |
|
Emily Naylor |
Manawatu |
- |
|
Jan Rowsell |
Auckland |
8 |
|
Elizabeth Ryan |
Auckland |
- |
|
Caroline Stuart |
Auckland |
- |
|
Roberta Thornley |
Auckland |
- |