"I instantly forwarded the email to my parents and called them. They were just excited as me about the opportunity I was given."
Polovnikoff impressed when she turned out for Northland in the National Hockey League, played in Whangarei in September.
The striker scored a team-high three goals in the tournament and was a constant threat on attack.
Polovnikoff said the role she has been selected in will be invaluable for her.
"As a travelling observer it means I will travel with the Black Sticks during this Trans-Tasman series and get to observe, learn and experience what the Black Sticks environment is like by watching the games and seeing all the 'behind the scenes' work," she said.
"I've been training six times a week in my preparations. On two or three of these days I have been involved with the some of the Black Sticks in Auckland."
Hager said the Trans-Tasman Trophy is the first step in the next Olympic cycle leading into the 2020 Tokyo Games.
"It's a fresh start for us after a tough Rio campaign and we have eight players who played there and are keen to get straight back to business," he said.
"We've named a high quality group for the Trans-Tasman Trophy with plenty of players who have the opportunity to showcase their skills and put pressure on some of the more senior athletes for places in next year's squad, which will be named in December."
"This series is a great learning experience for all our players against an opposition who is in a similar transitional phase after the Olympics."
The series begins on November 17 at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland.
