New Zealand women’s hockey squad (FIH World Ranking: 6) have had a mixed FIH Pro League season so far. Really great results against Australia (won 3-1) China (won 2-0) and Great Britain (won 5-1) have been interspersed with disappointing results against the Netherlands (lost 1-0), Argentina (lost 3-0) and Belgium (lost 1-0). The Black Sticks currently sit in fifth position in the league standings, just behind Oceania rivals Australia. Both teams have played more Pro League matches (8) than any other team.
New Zealand's FIH Pro League campaign, like many other teams, coincided with fielding several new or inexperienced players. That combined with Sean Dancer stepping into Mark Hager's shoes as the Head Coach, after Hager departed to lead Great Britain, meant that the players had a lot of quick adjusting to do. By the time they met higher-ranked Great Britain (WR:2) and Oceania rivals Australia (WR:3), the adjustments seem to be working well.
Now, with seven home matches and an away game against Australia behind them, New Zealand are embarking on their travels. The first stop is China (WR:10), where they will hope to repeat the win from earlier in the league.
Frances Davies has more than 60 international caps to her name and made her senior debut in 2016. She was part of the squad that took gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games but has also experienced disappointment as part of the team that crashed out of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup in London last year.
Davies says the FIH Pro League has proven: “a mixed bag in terms of results for us, however we have enjoyed the new competition and we are excited to start playing our away games.”
For New Zealand, the chance to play eight matches in front of a home crowd has been both a rarity and a pleasure. Major international fixtures haven’t traditionally taken place in New Zealand, with the exception of the 2017 Hockey World League Finals, so to play in front of enthusiastic fans has been a real bonus. “It’s great to have such high level of hockey being played in front of a home crowd,” says the defender. “And the exposure that hockey has been given in New Zealand is great.”
But now New Zealand embark on their travels, first undertaking the 14 hour journey to China then tracking across to Argentina.
Although travelling for competitions is something the New Zealand team are used to, Davies says the squad will still need to ensure they prepare well so they adjust easily to the climate, the time difference and the different food they will encounter in China. “We always work hard to adjust as quickly as we can so we are ready to train and play at peak performance,” says Davies.
Although China are lower-ranked than New Zealand, Davies and her teammates know that they are not in for an easy ride. “China have been performing very well over the Pro League and we know it will be a tough match in front of their home crowd.”
#FIHProLeague
