Hockey: Chance to grow up on Europe tour

New Zealand hockey representative Simon Child has been given the opportunity to extend his education in two spheres next month.

Auckland's Child, 17, was today included in the national men's team to play five internationals in Europe against France, Belgium and Holland.

He had been introduced to the side for the home series this year against Malaysia and -- like fellow newcomers Ben Collier and Jason Bradley -- Child is being given another chance to prove himself at the highest level.

Child, a striker, is the youngest member of the squad and still at school at Kings College.

He will play the first four games against France and Belgium before travelling home earlier than the rest of the team to minimise the amount of time he has off school.

Collier, 21, of North Harbour, impressed in the midfield against Malaysia, while Cantabrian Bradley, 26, another striker, was denied much field time against Malaysia because one of the two matches he was due to play was abandoned because of torrential rain.

Two of the younger players who were introduced against Malaysia this year, and then went on to contest the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia last month, have also been named to go to Europe.

They are defenders Richard Petherick, 19, of Waikato, and Shea McAleese, 20, of Canterbury.

Returning to the team are North Harbour striker Lloyd Stephenson and Auckland defender Casey Henwood, both of whom have been living in Australia. Henwood has been playing for Canberra in the Australian league.

Stephenson has played 27 games for New Zealand, while Henwood has played 14.

Also returning to the side is Mitesh Patel, who had taken a break in Britain.

Patel, who has appeared for his country more than 100 times, last played for New Zealand at the 2004 Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.

Coach Kevin Towns said his selections reflected a policy of long-term development as he built the team towards the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The tour to Europe will help prepare the New Zealanders for the World Cup Oceania qualifier against Australia and Fiji in Fiji on November 14-20. The winners then gain direct entry to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"The tour will help establish which players are in contention for World Cup qualification and for the Commonwealth Games next March," Towns said.

European tour itinerary:

July 16: New Zealand v France at Bourge.

July 17: New Zealand v France at Bourge.

July 23: New Zealand v Belgium at Nivelles.

July 24: New Zealand v Belgium at Nivelles.

July 30: New Zealand v Holland at Amstelveen

New Zealand men's team: Gareth Brooks, Simon Child, Dean Couzins, Bevan Hari, Casey Henwood, Simon Towns (captain), Paul Woolford (Auckland); Ben Collier, Blair Hopping, Darren Smith, Lloyd Stephenson (North Harbour); Phillip Burrows, James Nation, Mitesh Patel, Kyle Pontifex (Wellington); Jason Bradley, Shea McAleese (Canterbury); Richard Petherick (Waikato).

Towns has also named 27 players to attend a New Zealand squad training camp in Auckland on July 3-9: Ryan Archibald, Hamish Baron, Gareth Brooks, Simon Child, Dean Couzins, Cain Fleming, Dion Gosling, Casey Henwood, Wayne McIndoe, Sanjay Patel, Dharmesh Puna, Paul Woolford (Auckland); Jason Bradley, Hugh Copland, Shea McAleese, Bradley Shaw (Canterbury); Shaun Barnett, Ben Collier, Bryce Collins, Blair Hopping, David Kosoof, Darren Smith, Lloyd Stephenson (North Harbour); Richard Petherick (Waikato); Phillip Burrows, Tim Gyles, Kyle Pontifex (Wellington).

- NZPA