JUNIOR WORLD CUP SQUADS HIGHLIGHT STRONG TALENT COMING THROUGH

Hockey New Zealand is pleased to announce the Under 21 squads that will be heading to the Junior World Cups at the end of the year. The women’s event is in Santiago, Chile 29 November - 10 December, while the men's event is in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia 5-16 December.

Selections have been based on performances from the Vantage National U18s and Ford National Hockey Championship (NHC), as well as performances in camp and in last year's trans-Tasman series.

Men’s head coach Aaron Ford is looking forward to pitting his side against some of the best sides in the world, with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Pakistan in Pool D with New Zealand.

“This World Cup is a great opportunity for our players to get a taste of international hockey and test themselves on the world stage,” he said. 

“Selections are never easy, especially with the quality hockey we have seen throughout the year - we now ramp up our preparations for what will be an exciting few months ahead."

Women’s coach Mitch Hayde shared those sentiments and said, “competition for places in the team was strong, making this selection no easy task. 

“We have selected a group that has earned selection based on consistent performances over the last 12 months and this is a group we are confident is ready to represent our country on the world stage.”

The women will face England, Japan, and the USA in their pool.

Off the back of the Ford NHC, attention now turns to preparing the teams for the World Cups, with a Super Camp in early October with the wider Future Black Sticks programme, as well as some other international opportunities in the lead-up.

U21 Men - Junior World Cup Squad

 Luke Aldred, George Baker, Benji Culhane, Scott Cosslett, Jonty Elmes, Luke Elmes, Aiden Fraser, Hayden Ganley, James Hickson, Josh Irwin, Sam Lints, Charlie Morrison, James Nicolson, Ryan Parr, Daniel Torr, Patrick Ward, Jordan Whittleston, Matthew Wilson.

 U21 Women - Junior World Cup Squad

 Rebecca Baker, Rosanna Bedford, Paige Blake, Brodie Cochrane, Hannah Cotter, Jaimee Eades, Emma Findlay, Maddie Harris, Leah Hodges, Emma Irwin, Arabella Loveridge, Emilie Logan, Riana Pho, Tessa Reid, Lucy Russ, Annabelle Schneideman, Issy Storey, Katherine Winter.