Role models abound as Black Sticks sweep India

Amy Robinson was one of four Tauranga players involved in the test series win over India. Photo / Photosport

The Vantage Black Sticks Women have swept the five-test series against India after a 6-2 result in the final match at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton on Saturday.

Aside from a short period of Indian resistance, it was all New Zealand traffic with three goals coming in each half.

Striker Olivia Merry scored a first-quarter double while Pippa Hayward, Natasha FitzSimons, Sam Harrison and Kirsten Pearce all scored for the Black Sticks.

Head coach for the series Sean Dancer said it was good to come away with a series clean sweep.

"As a coach you're never 100 per cent happy so there are certainly areas we need to get better at, but I thought the performance highlighted some positive things we've been working on," he said.

"India came out and hammered us in the third quarter but we've been working on how to handle those situations and it's pleasing that we came back and scored another three goals."

The result was particularly well received at Tauranga Hockey Association headquarters at Blake Park.

Tauranga's four Black Sticks in Rose Keddell, Sam Charlton, Frances Davies and Amy Robinson were all involved and New Zealand's top umpire Kelly Hudson, also from Tauranga, celebrated officiating her 100th international test during the fourth match in the series.

Tauranga Hockey chairman Peter Puchner said the number of local Black Sticks players was a reflection on the quality of junior development programmes run by the association.

"Having those four ladies in the team and thinking of how young they were when they all joined the Black Sticks squad shows both the depth and quality of their talent but also the development programmes that give our children the opportunity to develop their skills," he said.

"Obviously these four players have made the step up to achieve that dream. It is magnificent."

Puchner said Tauranga Hockey have been a trailblazer in junior development programmes for many years.

"The interesting thing is Tauranga Hockey, and in particular Gill Gemming, have been instrumental in piloting these development programmes for juniors. It has become a model for a national rollout so that is through strong thought and passion for all the people involved really."

Robinson and Davies were also part of the Midlands Under-21 side that won the national title this month for the second consecutive year.

"Having so many players who have gone into the regional squads and representing Midlands and winning the shield for the second year is absolutely magnificent," Puchner said.

"It is also so pleasing to see Kelly [Hudson] on her journey. You can see her often during the weekends or weekdays umpiring local competitions and being very happy to be involved in the local game while achieving the pinnacle of the sport.

"She has umpired at Olympics and world cups and has been selected into the top tier of international umpires. So 100 caps as an umpire is a great achievement and we look forward to the next 50 to 100 more."