Hockey: Strongest squad in three years

New Zealand women's hockey coach Mark Hager. Photo / Dean Purcell

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager is unusually optimistic in looking forward to the FIH Women's Champions Trophy in the Netherlands.

Hager, normally reserved in assessing his team's chances, feels he is probably taking the strongest squad into a tournament in his three years since taking over as national women's coach.

"This tournament is about proving we can do well against the best in the world," said Hager. Asked where he thought their best chances of a result might come, Hager said: "I would like to target Germany. You never know at a tournament like this what kind of team they will bring especially if they a targeting next year's Olympics."

There is added pressure on the team to perform well.

With the Trophy tournament increased from six to eight teams, New Zealand won their spot as a host invitee. With China, the Black Sticks are the two teams ranked outside the world's top six. The New Zealand men missed out at a spot in the men's Champions Trophy even though they are ranked in the top eight.

To be assured of a place in next year's Champions Trophy, to be played in Argentina in February, the Black Sticks would need to win in the Netherlands as only the hosts, and the winners of the Champions Trophy, Champions Challenge, World Cup and Olympic Games are guaranteed direct entry.

"We have a pretty good relationship with Argentina so we might get in as an invitee but only if we put up a good showing this time," said Hager. "With the Olympics the focal point in 2012, we definitely want to play the Champions Trophy as a key part of our build-up."

Hager said the closest he has been to putting out a full strength team this year was the early series against Korea - won 5-0 by New Zealand.

"The 18 players we are taking away came from the 22 who played that series," said Hager. "On that basis, I feel this is the best squad we have."

There is a good blend of youth and experience.

Kayla Sharland (127), Emily Naylor (151), Krystal Forgesson (115) and 21-year-old Charlotte Harrison (111) have all topped the 100 mark. Clarissa Eshuis (85) is not far away while Anita Punt, Stacey Michelsen and Gemma Flynn have played 50 or more.

Only goalkeeper Sally Rutherford, Alana Millington and Canterbury defender Sophie Devine have yet to reach 20.

The unlucky players to miss out are Kate Mahon (injured), Laura Douglas, Petrea Webster, Jan Burrows and young goalkeeper Amelia Gibson.

Douglas and Webster, who along with Champions Trophy-bound Anna Thorpe, stayed on to play in Japan after the recent developmental tour, will travel with the team to Europe where they will play in warm-up matches against Germany, China, the Netherlands and Korea before returning home.

The pool match against Australia will have special significance for New Zealand as the two teams will meet later in the year in Hobart in the Oceania Olympic qualifiers.

TROPHY GAMES

New Zealand at FIH Women's Champions Trophy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Pool B:
* June 25: v Germany, midnight.
* June 26: v Australia, midnight.
* June 29: v Netherlands, 3am.
* June 30-July 3: Playoffs.

BLACK STICKS

* Goalkeepers: Sally Rutherford (Midlands), Bianca Russell (North Harbour).

* Defenders: Alana Millington (Northland), Ella Gunson (Northland), Clarissa Eshuis (Midlands), Sophie Devine (Canterbury), Lucy Talbot (Auckland).

* Midfielders: Kayla Sharland (Central), Emily Naylor (Central), Samantha Harrison (Auckland), Gemma Flynn (Midlands), Anna Thorpe (Northland), Stacey Michelsen (North Harbour), Anita Punt (Capital).

* Strikers: Krystal Forgesson (Auckland), Katie Glynn (Auckland), Cathryn Finlayson (Midlands), Charlotte Harrison (Northland).