Versatile Black Sticks side named for Trans-Tasman

Black Sticks Womens head coach Mark Hager has named a versatile side to compete at the inaugural Trans-Tasman Trophy in Auckland.

The team of 18 includes eight players in their first action since the Rio Olympics, along with plenty of young talent and two debutantes in Capitals Felicity Reidy and Kim Tanner of Midlands.

The tournament also sees the return of several athletes who have seen limited action of the past few years such as Samantha Harrison, Michaela Curtis and Jenny Storey.

Coach Hager said its the first step in the next Olympic cycle leading into the 2020 Tokyo Games.

"Its a fresh start for us after a tough Rio campaign and we have eight players who played there and are keen to get straight back to business," he said.

"Weve named a high quality group for the Trans-Tasman Trophy with plenty of players who have the opportunity to showcase their skills and put pressure on some of the more senior athletes for places in next years squad which will be named in December."

Northlands Stacey Michelsen is the most experienced in the team with 216 test caps while Olivia Merry, Pippa Hayward, Sally Rutherford and Liz Thompson have all played over 100 internationals.

Promising teenaged forwards Madison Doar (Auckland) and Samantha Polovnikoff (Northland) will also travel with the team as observers after impressing at the Ford National Hockey League.

"This series is a great learning experience for all our players against an opposition who is in a similar transitional phase after the Olympics.

"Its exciting to have two debutantes with Felicity a genuine goal scoring threat up front and Kim a really quality defender who was a key player for Midlands during the NHL.

The Trans-Tasman Trophy is proudly supported by Ford, Polytan, Qantas, Educare, Trillian Trust and NZCT.

Presale tickets are still selling for the Trans-Tasman Trophy and are cheaper online than at the gate.

BLACK STICKS WOMEN

Trans-Tasman Trophy

PLAYER NAME / REGION / POSITION / AGE / CAPS

Michaela CURTIS / Central / Striker / 23 / 36

Natasha FITZSIMONS / Midlands / Defender / 27 / 52

Amelia GIBSON / Auckland / Goalkeeper / 25 / 57

Erin GOAD / North Harbour / Defender/Midfielder / 23 / 3

Jordan GRANT / Canterbury / Midfielder/Striker / 25 / 60

Samantha HARRISON / Auckland / Midfielder/Striker / 25 / 93

Pippa HAYWARD / Canterbury / Defender/Midfielder / 26 / 117

Rose KEDDELL / Midlands / Defender/Midfielder / 22 / 136

Rachel McCANN / Canterbury / Striker / 23 / 29

Olivia MERRY / Canterbury / Striker / 24 / 140

Stacey MICHELSEN / Northland / Striker / 25 / 216

Kirsten PEARCE / North Harbour / Striker / 25 / 61

Felicity REIDY / Capital / Midfielder/Striker / 23 / -

Sally RUTHERFORD / Midlands / Goalkeeper / 35 / 126

Kelsey SMITH / Capital / Midfielder/Striker / 22 / 28

Jenny STOREY / Canterbury / Defender / 24 / 9

Kim TANNER / Midlands / Defender / 24 / -

Liz THOMPSON / Auckland / Defender / 21 / 122

TRAVELLING OBSERVERS

PLAYER NAME / REGION / POSITION / AGE / CAPS

Madison DOAR / Auckland/ Midfielder/Striker / 17 / -

Samantha POLOVNIKOFF / Northland / Striker / 18 / -





- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ