Miller set for Youth Olympics

Gutsy defender Elley Miller has made her first steps towards her ultimate dream of making the Black Sticks.
The 16-year-old, who hails from Kerikeri and plays for Old Girls in the premier women's competition, was selected in the Hockey New Zealand Under-17 Youth Olympics team to contest the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
"I was pretty honoured to be picked for the team, being the first one they've ever had. There are a lot of good players in my age group - the competition is pretty tough," she said.
Miller was the sole Northland representative selected for play in the side, after an outstanding performance at last year's under 16 national tournament. She also played for Northland at the National Hockey League in 2009 and is training with the 2010 squad at present, who started preparations for the 2010 campaign several weeks ago under coach Alan Lints.
Earlier this year, Miller was part of the 2010 under-21 Northern team that finished second at the national under-21 tournament before helping the under-18 Northland girls to a third placing ahead of North Harbour at last week's 2010 National Premier Girls under-18 tournament, in Tauranga.
"It was a really good tournament. We were happy with our performance although we were hoping to make the final, but we missed out on strokes," she said. Auckland won the tournament after  beating  Tauranga in the final.
Following the under-18 tournament, Miller stayed on in Tauranga for the under-17 Youth Olympics training camp.
"The girls in the team were all playing at the tournament so we had a camp after it. It was our second training camp - we mainly looked at set plays because we had just played a week of hockey.
"Our first training camp was held a month ago where we had the chance to get to know each other. That camp was really intense."
The team is shaping up nicely under the direction of head coach Greg Nichol and assistant coach Angeline Waetford, who coaches Springfield in the premier women's competition.
"I think we will have a good team, especially in our midfield but there are older and more experienced players spread throughout the team, so I think we will be strong across the field," the right half said.

 The under-17 Youth Olympics team fly out to Singapore on August 11 before playing Korea on August 16, Ireland on August 17, the Netherlands on August 19, South Africa on August 20, followed by Argentina on August 22.
Each country plays each other once and the top two play off in gold medal match.