Black Sticks midfielder Krystal Forgesson and goalkeeper Bianca Russell have announced their retirement from the international game.
Coach Mark Hager said both players have helped New Zealand win critical games over many years and will be greatly missed by the team as preparation gets underway for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Forgesson, aged 31, and Russell, 36, are both turning their focus to their full time jobs and are looking forward to exchanging a rigorous elite athlete training schedule for more time with family and friends.
Having debuted in 2005, Forgesson’s career has included the Melbourne, Delhi and Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Beijing and London Olympics and two World Cups in Holland and Argentina. During that time, she accumulated 220 international test caps making her the fourth highest capped Black Stick and scored 77 goals making her the current all-time highest goal scorer alongside Katie Glynn.
“The Rio Olympics had always been in the back of my mind when making this decision – especially with it only being a year and a half away – but I just don’t think I can keep giving it 100%,” said Forgesson.
Hager said the contribution that Forgesson made to the success of the team and her presence will be greatly missed by the group.
“She is a great trainer, a leader on and off the field, a goal scorer, a hard-nosed player, a winner and most off all a friend to all. Krystal drove the culture within the team and provided a benchmark for the next group of players to aim for,” said Hager.
Bianca Russell’s decision to retire didn’t come easily, but she believes now is the right time to step aside and let the next generation of goalkeepers come through.
“I wish I didn’t have to go, my heart still very much wants to play hockey but reality and my head say that it’s time to walk away,” said Russell.
“It’s something that I‘ve been thinking about for a few months and I’ve considered everything - what my goals are, what next and what else hockey can offer me. My body has had its fair share of wear and tear and although I can put in a good performance when required, I know I can’t be at my best 365 days a year anymore and therefore I can’t justify holding onto this position.”
Leaving with 75 caps to her name, coach Mark Hager believes it is her hardness and leadership both on and off the field that has set her apart.
“Bianca is a goalkeeper who has kept us in games and she is one of the reasons why we moved so quickly from being number 12 in the world to number three – her performance in London got us to the medal rounds. She is a fantastic leader – on and off the pitch and has been a big contributor to the team. She is a player who will sacrifice her goals to ensure the team performs well and has been a fantastic mentor to the younger keepers coming through,” said Hager.
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