Vantage Black Sticks Women's head coach Mark Hager has named a strong side to contest the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland next month.

With seven members of the team from national champions Midlands, there is no doubt as to what is the dominant area of New Zealand hockey. Of those Midlands players, Sam Charlton, Frances Davies, Amy Robinson and Rose Keddell are all from Tauranga.

The tournament sees the world's eight best women's hockey teams converge on the Harbour Hockey Stadium for a winner-takes-all championship from November 17 to 26.

The Black Sticks (world ranking sixth) are joined in Pool A by seven-time World Cup winners Netherlands, USA (fourth) and Korea (ninth).

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Defending Hockey World League champions Argentina contest Pool B alongside England (second), Germany (Rio bronze medallists) and China (eighth).

New Zealand takes a talented team into the World League finale with Stacey Michelsen (238 tests) and Charlton (201) providing a wealth of experience to the group.

There are four changes from the side which competed at the recent Oceania Cup in Sydney with the additions of 18-year-old Maddison Doar, Erin Goad, Pippa Hayward and Ella Gunson.

Hager said it was an exciting time for the group with the opportunity to play one of the biggest tournaments on the international calendar in front of a packed home crowd.

"It's really exciting to be playing at home but also a really big challenge. We look forward to the test of showing what we are capable of against the best teams in the world," Hager said.

"We've added some speed to the striker line to give us some more emphasis up front as we need to score more goals and improve our conversion rate.

"Erin, Pippa and Ella will be great additions and they have worked hard to get back into the team, while it's a big moment for Madi, who we believe will learn quickly and relish the opportunity.

"Madi is a good attacking player who is quick and wants to score goals, she's a young player without fear and we want to let her go out there and play her game."

The Black Sticks open their campaign with an exciting clash against world number one ranked Netherlands at 8pm on November 17.

All games will be broadcast live and replayed on Sky Sport.

Vantage Black Sticks Women

Sam Charlton, Frances Davies, Tarryn Davey, Shiloh Gloyn, Rose Keddell, Amy Robinson, Sally Rutherford (Midlands); Maddison Doar, Sam Harrison, Grace O'Hanlon, Liz Thompson (Auckland); Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal (Northland); Pippa Hayward, Olivia Merry (Canterbury); Kelsey Smith (Capital); Erin Goad (North Harbour)