Hockey: Veteran goalie out of hockey line-up

By Suzanne McFadden

The woman who has protected New Zealand hockey's goal for the past 50 tests, Helen Clarke, has been sidelined by a new regime.

Clarke, who went to the 1992 Olympics and has 58 test caps, has been left out of the New Zealand team to play in a tri-nations series in Argentina next month.

Speedy goalscorer Kylie Foy, Clarke's Auckland team-mate, has failed to make it back into the national side.

She took a self-enforced break following an outstanding performance at the World Cup last May, where New Zealand lifted their world ranking to No 6.

Two other players from the team who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games last September - defenders Jenny Shepherd and Diana Weavers - are also missing from the touring team to play Argentina and Germany.

New coach Jan Borren and his panel of selectors have opted for young Canterbury goalie AnneMarie Irving to replace Clarke.

The other two new caps are Auckland forward Toni Mason and Canterbury midfielder Megan McKay.

"The two goalies in the side put their hands up at last year's nationals and last weekend's trials," Borren said.

"Helen is still in the frame and she will fight hard to get back in.

"This isn't a team that is set in place.

"This is all a learning curve for me, and I feel that I'm still working with a squad of 25.

"This tour will tell me where we are in regards to women's world hockey."
New Zealand will play 17 tests this year, and another 25 before the Sydney Olympics.

On this tour, they will play six matches - four of them internationals against two of the world's top six sides.

Borren will reselect the team before the Champions Trophy in Brisbane in June.
New Zealand face a daunting draw, playing world and Olympic champions Australia in their first game.

New Zealand: Sandy Bennett, Toni Mason, Mandy Smith, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Robyn Matthews (Wanganui), Skippy McGregor, Moira Senior (Manawatu), Suzie Pearce (Wellington), Jenny Duck (vice-captain), Emily Gillam, Anne-Marie Irving, Anna Lawrence (captain), Megan McKay, Karen Mee, Kate Trolove (Canterbury), Karen Smith (Otago).