P R E S S R E L E A S E

16 June 2003

 

ROWE WINS FINAL POSITION IN TELECOM BLACK STICKS TEAM

 

Black Sticks Coach Ian Rutledge has named Melody Rowe as the 18^th player to compete in next month’s Champion’s Challenge, rewarding standout performances from the Manawatu midfielder who has been playing for the New Zealand Academy side in Australia.

 

Rutledge named 17 in his 18 strong squad on June 6, but left the remaining position open to allow Academy Coach, (and Black Sticks Assistant Coach), Chris Leslie to assess the form of several players in the New Zealand Academy side which has been playing matches in Melbourne against Victorian State and Institute of Sport teams.

 

Leslie has been impressed with Rowe’s improved fitness and domination on the field.

 

“Melody has played as an inside forward and at centre half. She has been extremely tight in possession and has distributed the ball well ,” he says. “She sets up attack well when required and has been the standout player on the field.”

 

Rowe has played six games for New Zealand, debuting as a 17-year-old against Korea in New Zealand in early 2001. She was held back last season by injury after breaking her hand playing for Manawatu in the Lion Foundation New Zealand Hockey League.

 

Ian Rutledge said: “Melody is a quality young player, and offers flexibility and depth in the midfield and half line. We are still trying to find our best centre half, and Melody will be given the opportunity to play there, as well as in the inside forwards.”

 

The New Zealand Academy team has played four games so far in Australia. The side has played the Victorian Institute of Sport squad twice, drawing 2-2 in the first meeting and then winning the second encounter 2-1. The side has also beaten the Victorian State Under 21 team twice, both times by 4-0.

 

Academy coach Chris Leslie said that leaving the 18^th Black Stick position open had given the trip a real purpose and the players had been highly focused as a group.

 

“We have mirrored the programme and playing structures introduced to the Black Sticks this year and the players have responded well,” he says.

 

Other standout players in Melbourne, Leslie said, included: North Harbour striker Connie Igasan, who was in good goal scoring form, Canterbury’s Stacey Carr, who was the dominant inside forward, goalkeepers Sally Rutherford (North Harbour) and Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington), who made no errors and North Harbour’s Kate Mahon who played soundly at both left and right half. The youngest player in the squad, New Zealand Under 18 player Tambara McGarvey, (Otago), also did not look out of place in the inside forwards.

 

The New Zealand Academy team plays a final game against the Victorian Institute tonight.

 

The Telecom Black Sticks will compete in Catania, Sicily, from July 5-13. The team leaves New Zealand on June 28.

 

Telecom NZ Team for Champions Challenge: Helen Clarke, Meredith Orr, Jan Rowsell, Karen Syddall (Auckland), Amanda Christie, Nikki Grimwood, Diana Weavers, Jo Galletly (Canterbury), Tara Drysdale, Kayla Sharland, Anita Wawatai, Melody Rowe, (Manawatu),Lizzy Igasan (Northland), Paula Enoka, Jaimee Provan (North Harbour), Suzie Pearce, Niniwa Roberts-Lang, Rachel Sutherland (Wellington)

 

Ends

 

 

For Further Information contact:

 

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)

 

 

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