The New Zealand women's hockey team are first in the selection race for next year's Olympics.
Following their dramatic win over Australia in last month's Oceania qualifying tournament, the Black Sticks were nominated for Beijing. Yesterday the New Zealand Olympic Committee gave their tick of approval.
Hockey NewZealand had to convince the Olympic selectors - Barry Maister, Mike Stanley and Simon Wickham - that the team were capable of advancing beyond pool play.
HNZ chief executive Ramesh Patel is pleased the selection has been made quickly.
"This confirmation means we can now make moves to centralise players and move ahead with our international programme," said Patel.
The names of the 16 players who will go to Beijing will not be revealed until some time next year.
Maister said he expected the number of athletes in the New Zealand Olympic team will number 150-200 depending on how many teams in hockey, soccer and basketball make the grade.
He expects the first individual team members, probably yachtsmen and women, to be nominated and confirmed in the next few weeks.
The men's hockey team will follow the women in booking their spot if they win February's Olympic qualifying tournament in Auckland.
