Senior Black Sticks Kayla Sharland, Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson and Bianca Russell have all signalled to national coach Mark Hager they are keen to continue playing for the national side.
Black Sticks Women’s coach Mark Hager has announced a wider squad of 35 players and invited them to attend national trials from 14-18 November. Thirteen of the 16 Black Sticks from the Olympic team have said they would like to continue on.
“It is great to have a core group of players keen to continue, but it is equally as pleasing to see the new talent coming through, there are a number of new faces and they are all proving that they have real potential,” says Hager.
Players will start training from this month, with Sharland, Naylor, Forgesson and Russell having an extended break and joining the side in early 2013.
“These four players have said they are keen to keep playing, but right now they need a break and I am keen for them to take it. The next major competition for us isn’t until June when we will compete in the new FIH Hockey World League, so now is a good time,” says Hager.
Co-captain Kayla Sharland says that the success of the team at the Olympics has helped inspire her to keep playing.
“Basically, the success at the Olympics has given me that motivation. I have really enjoyed being part of the group and want to continue being part of the team in the future. I think it is exciting times, I want to be part of it moving forward,” says Sharland.
Hockey New Zealand’s high performance manager Toni Cumpston says that it is pleasing to see young talent coming through.
“There are high performance coaches working in the regions to help identify and develop talent, and we are now starting to see the benefits of that – we have nine new players being asked to trial which is very encouraging,” says Cumpston.
The Owen G Glenn Future Black Sticks programme, which provides training camps and international experience, is also helping nurture potential national talent with seven Junior Black Sticks named in the squad.
Olympic athletes Cathryn Finlayson, Clarissa Eshuis, Melody Cooper as well as national squad member Lucy Talbot have said they are unavailable for 2013 but made it clear they are not retiring and that they have other commitments, such as study and full-time work, which they want to focus on next year.
Eight players named are from Canterbury’s National Hockey League winning side, including new national talent Sian Fremaux, Olivia Merry and Jenny Storey.
Following the national trials, 25 players will be selected for the 2013 national squad and 10 will be named in the development squad.
The selectors were national coach Mark Hager, assistant coaches Chris Leslie and Greg Nicol and former Black Stick Di Te Awa.
View the 2012/13 Black Sticks Women's Wider Squad here
Source: Hockey New Zealand Media release
