The New Zealand men’s team for September’s BDO Hockey World Cup has been announced.

Sixteen of the players named were part of the successful team that won the BDO Hockey World Cup Qualifier in China in April.

Of those named, Shea McAleese’s selection is subject to reaching satisfactory levels of conditioning. Experienced Wayne McIndoe was unavailable for selection due to work commitments.

New Zealand coach Kevin Towns describes his midfield as one of the strongest he has named.

Captain Ryan Archibald will provide much of the playmaking at either right or left inside forward, while also providing back up at centre midfield.

Wellington’s Mitesh Patel returns to add further experience to the midfield. Patel was one of the New Zealand standouts at the Athens Olympics and made a welcome return to the Black Sticks at June’s Azlan Shah Tournament, after a year’s break due to work commitments.

Towns is also very excited about the potential of his strike force, particularly with the return of Wellington’s Phil Burrows who mised the Azlan Shah tournament to make a full recovery from a groin strain and also heal a compound fracture of his hand suffered in the final game of the World Cup Qualifier.

“Alongside him, Gareth Brooks has made huge strides for us this year, Lloyd Stephenson has stepped up the plate, Bevan Hari provides enormous experience as the highest capped player in the side and Simon Child continues the strong development of his game,” Towns said.

“I am really excited about our goal scoring potential. Our new assistant coach Shane McLeod has introduced more form to our attack and I think we will go from strength to strength in this area.”

Towns said the team has set itself a goal of winning a medal at the World Cup, which will be played from 6-17 September in Mönchengladbach, Germany.

New Zealand Men - World Cup
Ryan Archibald (captain), Gareth Brooks, Simon Child, Ben Collier, Bryce Collins, Dean Couzins, Bevan Hari, Blair Hopping, Shea McAleese, Mitesh Patel, Richard Petherick, Bradley Shaw, Hayden Shaw, Lloyd Stephenson, Paul Woolford