Hockey: Wanganui girls make Central side

Charlotte Dixon, left, and Myah Jex-Blake have earned selection with the Central Under-18 team for the national tournament next month. Photo/Stuart Munro

Wanganui's Charlotte Dixon and Myah Jex-Blake will be the next to step into the breach and represent their province in higher hockey honours after being selected for the Central Under-18 women's team attending the national tournament in Napier next month.

For goalie Dixon, 17, it is her second year of selection with the team while midfielder/front runner Jex-Blake, 15, will make her debut at this level, having to adjust to the quicker speeds and reaction times.

Dixon, in the first year of a chef course at UCOL, plays for Collegians in the Manawatu League, while Year 11 student Jex-Blake represents her Wanganui Collegiate team.

Central representative sides are selected from players in Taranaki, Wanganui, Horowhenua, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay.

Dixon's mother and coach Jan Dixon said the team should do well at the tournament, having finished fourth last year with only three from that squad no longer available.

"As long as we can keep their heads in the right places, we've got some good little players here."

Central is in Pool A against Auckland, Northland and North Harbour, with the top two teams going on to the semifinals.

Teams in Pool B are Capital, Canterbury and Midlands.

The national tournament will be from July 6-12.

Central have a warm-up game against Capital tomorrow.