Hockey: Omissions and additions to squads

Mark Hager. Photo / APN

Two of the most experienced members of the New Zealand women hockey team's silver medal-winning campaign at the Commonwealth Games are missing from the 2011 national squad named yesterday, but two old hands are back in the men's fold.

Canterbury midfielder Stacey Carr and Wellington goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit, both with more than 100 caps to their names, have decided to take time out from the test arena. However, double centurions Ryan Archibald and Blair Hopping, who missed the men's bronze medal effort in New Delhi for the same reason - to concentrate on life outside hockey - are back and targeting the London Olympics in 2012.

Women's coach Mark Hager said Jurgeleit and Carr wanted to consider their options going forward.

He expected they would decide by April or May whether they wanted to continue with international hockey.

"They believe they need to be 100 per cent or not at all and that's why they need the time to go away, but we've got some great depth coming through and some good experienced players," he said. "They're always a huge loss, experienced players, but you need to continue on and find the next stars."

Apart from the Commonwealth silver medal, the women's squad had also been boosted by confirmation that Oceania will have two places at the women's event at the London Olympics.

Meanwhile, men's coach Shane McLeod described the return of Auckland midfielder Archibald and North Harbour defender Hopping, who have both captained New Zealand, as a big boost.

"It's a big vote of confidence that they feel they can get a lot out of the next 20 months," he said. "They've achieved a lot in their careers and for them to still have the ambition to medal at the Olympic Games and to help us succeed is something the others will grab hold of."

In the Olympic men's event, Oceania will have only one direct spot.

World No 1 Australia are the hot favourites to take that, meaning New Zealand are likely to have to try to book their passage to London via a secondary qualifying process in early 2012.

Hockey NZ chief executive Hilary Poole said the focus between now and the London Olympics was to add depth to the talent base in the men's and women's game, develop player skills and continue to provide test experience for both squads.

She said a "Summer of Hockey" domestic series was planned for next January and February, with Belgium and Japan confirmed as opponents for the New Zealand men.

Features of the squads named yesterday were the elevation of two 19-year-olds, Auckland midfield Marcus Child and Canterbury goalkeeper Amelia Gibson, from their respective development squads.

- NZPA