Two new caps have been included in the Black Sticks Women’s side to play Australia next February, giving them opportunity to push for selection for three major tournaments in the second half of 2010.
The tournaments are the Samsung Champions Trophy in July, the BDO World Cup in September and the Commonwealth Games in October.
The two players introduced are North Harbour defender Natasha Fitzsimons (22) and Midlands’s striker Cathryn Finlayson. North Harbour keeper Sally Rutherford who played one match for New Zealand this year has also been included and Northland midfielder Laura Douglas (27) has been recalled. Douglas has eight caps and last played for the Black Sticks in 2007.
Four experienced players are being rested to allow Coach Mark Hager to increase his player depth. They are Krystal Forgesson, Kate Mahon, Kate Saunders and Beth Jurgeleit. In addition Piki Hamahona is unavailable due to work commitments, Stacey Carr is recovering from a knee injury incurred during the 2009 National Hockey League and Anita Punt has had hip surgery.
The matches against Australia will be the first internationals for the Black Sticks Women since the side won the BDO Champions Challenge I in October. The matches are currently scheduled to be played in Perth from 7-18 February, 2010.
Team New Zealand: Kayla Sharland, Emily Naylor, Katie Glynn, Sally Rutherford, Ella Gunson, Clarissa Eshuis, Lucy Talbot, Stacey Brannigan, Sam Harrison, Gemma Flynn, Anna Thorpe, Charlotte Harrison, Jasmin McQuinn, Bianca Russell, Stacey Michelsen, Natasha Fitzsimons, Laura Douglas, Cathryn Finlayson.
Source: Hockey New Zealand
