Hockey: Three newcomers in Black Sticks' champions team

Three new caps were today included in the New Zealand women's hockey team for next month's Champions Trophy in Argentina.

They are North Harbour's Karlie Maloney, Auckland's Jessica Brewster and Canterbury's Honor Dillon.

Maloney, at 18 is the youngest of the newcomers. She found her way into the side through a fine national league season and is regarded as a well-balanced and versatile player, equally comfortable at striker and at midfield.

Brewster, 20, stepped up from the Development Squad. A promising striker, she scored six goals for Auckland in the league this year.

Dillon, 22, was outstanding in the league for Canterbury as a striker.

Eleven of the 18 players named for Argentina went to the Athens Olympics.

Manawatu goalkeeper Anita Wawatai who played six games for the Black Sticks in 2001 and 2003, Manawatu defender Sheree Phillips who played three internationals last season and Canterbury halfback Jo Galletly, with 10 caps from last season, have all earned a recall.

Moira Senior has also been recalled after injuries forced her to quit in 2002. She was a member of the 2000 Olympics Games team.

Work commitments ruled out this year's Olympics captain Suzie Muirhead from the Champions Trophy.

Di Weavers will lead the side, with Lizzy Igasan, Rachel Sutherland and Niniwa Roberts-Lang appointed vice-captain.

Coach Ian Rutledge sees the Champions Trophy as an opportunity to measure players against the world's best and the start of a campaign which includes the 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2006 World Cup and 2008 Olympics.

"Our goals are to broaden the players' experience, increase our leadership base and qualify for the 2005 Champions Trophy." he said.

The Champions Trophy will be played in Rosario from November 6-14.

New Zealand qualified for the tournament by finishing sixth at the Athens Olympics.

Argentina, Australia, China, Germany and the Netherlands are the other teams in the tournament.

BLACK STICKS

Goalkeepers: Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington), Anita Wawatai (Manawatu).

Fullbacks: Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour), Sheree Phillips (Manawatu), Diana Weavers (Canterbury).

Halfbacks: Jo Galletly (Canterbury), Emily Naylor (Manawatu), Rachel Sutherland (Manawatu), Rachel Robertson (Canterbury).

Inside forwards: Stacey Carr (Canterbury), Tara Drysdale (Manawatu), Meredith Orr (Auckland), Karlie Maloney (North Harbour).

Strikers: Jessica Brewster (Auckland), Honor Dillon (Canterbury), Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington), Kayla Sharland (Manawatu), Moira Senior (Manawatu).

- NZPA