VANTAGE BLACK STICKS BACK EXPERIENCE FOR FIRST SHOT AT OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION
Over 1300 caps of experience return to the Vantage Black Sticks Men and Women’s teams ahead of the upcoming Oceania Cup, presented by Sentinel Homes, which will see New Zealand battle the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos of Australia in a three game series for a spot at the 2024 Olympics.
Taking place in Whangārei, August 10-13, the Oceania Cup represents the first opportunity that both teams have to qualify for Paris 2024 – with the final opportunity being a qualification tournament in January.
Olympians Julia King and Sam Child (née Charlton) will make their first appearances in the Black Shirt since the Tokyo Olympics – with Kelsey Smith also coming back into the side, after being unavailable for selection for the recent European Tour.
Child says she is ready to hit the turf again. “I’ve enjoyed having a break from hockey and focusing on my life outside of sport including having my twin boys, but the time is right to come back and do what I can to help the team qualify for Paris. I’m looking forward to representing NZ again, doing it alongside this great group of girls, and having my family on the sideline.”
A swath of talent also returns for the Black Sticks Men with Hugo Inglis putting his hand up for selection for the first time since the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Jake Smith comes back from an injury sustained at the World Cup in January, while Dane Lett and Simon Child come back into the side after being unavailable for Europe.
After some time off to concentrate on his work, Inglis is anticipating a big first up test against Australia. “The group progressed nicely in Europe and the young guys settled into international hockey really well. I’m excited to play alongside them and also to have the experience of my old mate Simon Child. We can’t hide from the fact that the Kookaburras are a quality outfit and we’ll need to be at our best in Whangārei and show what playing for Olympic qualification means to us.”
The Oceania Cup will also feature two milestones for the Black Sticks teams with Grace O’Hanlon looking to earn her 100th cap in the opening match, and
Simon Child in line to earn his 300th, becoming just the fifth Kiwi to do it, if he plays all three games.
The Black Sticks Women are the current holders of the Oceania Cup, beating the Hockeyroos in Rockhampton 2019 – the Men have never won it since its inception in 1999. All games will be available to watch live and on demand for free on TVNZ+.
Black Sticks Men
Goalkeepers: Leon Hayward, George Enersen; Defenders: Simon Yorston, David Brydon, Charlie Morrison, Blair Tarrant, Kane Russell, Dane Lett; Midfielders: Nic Woods ©, Aidan Sarikaya, Sean Findlay, Hayden Phillips; Forwards: Simon Child, Hugo Inglis, Scott Boyde, Sam Lane, Jake Smith, George Baker.
Black Sticks Women
Goalkeepers: Grace O’Hanlon, Brooke Roberts; Defenders: Steph Dickins, Fran Davies, Megan Hull ©, Casey Crowley, Liz Thompson; Midfielders: Julia King, Sam Child, Tarryn Davey, Alia Jacques, Katie Doar; Forwards: Rose Tynan, Olivia Shannon, Hannah Cotter, Kelsey Smith, Hope Ralph, Olivia Merry ©