A reduced Black Sticks Women’s squad of 17 players was announced to contest the AtaHolding Champions Challenge in Baku, Azerbaijan from 9 until 17 June. National Coach Kevin Towns has culled down the squad of 20 players which recently met the Hockeyroos, in an effort to give as much game time as possible to players who performed well in the South Island series.
Towns has named five strikers to gain consistency up front by giving players more time on the field. He has named three defenders.
Unlucky to make the final cut were Northland striker Laura Douglas and Central midfielder Tara Drysdale who is returning from injury and will be given a program to work on her fitness and recovery rate, from her Central base.
Towns’ goal for the tournament is to win a place in next year’s Samsung Champion’s Trophy which will be played before the Beijing Olympics.
“We appreciate how tight it is going to be, but we have to back ourselves,” he says. “If we can play consistently we have an opportunity to win the tournament and secure valuable ranking points.
“The teams competing are ranked mostly around us and it would be very satisfying to come away with the gold medal,” he says.
Towns says the side made positive progress during the recent Australian series and will be aiming for a more consistent performance in
The tournament will be contested by
The squad will assemble in
The Black Sticks matches will be broadcast on Sky 1 and 2 throughout the tournament.
Black Sticks team to for Champions Challenge tournament:
Canterbury: Honor Dillon, Jo Galletly, Meredith Orr, Kate Saunders.
Central: Emily Naylor, Caryn Paewai, Anita Wawatai.
Northland: Charlotte Harrison, Alana Millington.
North
Midlands: Kate Mahon.
Wellington: Beth Jurgeleit
Source: Hockey New
