WOMEN’S VANTAGE BLACK STICKS SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR NATIONS CUP IN CHILE
With just over two weeks to go until the third edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, the Vantage Black Sticks Women’s Squad that will travel to Santiago, Chile has been announced. The side is looking particularly strong, welcoming back some of its key players who have been competing overseas in the Hockey India League, including Captain Olivia Shannon, Hannah Cotter, and Goalie Grace O'Hanlon.
The tournament, taking place from February 23 to March 2, is an important event for teams ranked outside the FIH Hockey Pro League, offering them the chance to demonstrate their skill on the world stage. It serves as a gateway to elite international competition, with the winner earning a coveted spot in the following season of the FIH Hockey Pro League, but importantly for the Vantage Black Sticks acts as a building phase towards World Cup qualification against Australia in August this year.
Eight teams are set to compete for the title at Nations Cup and promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025/26:
Pool A: Canada, Chile, Japan, United States
Pool B: Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Korea
The competition will begin with three pool matches, and the top two teams from each pool will then advance to the knockout stage, culminating in the grand final on March 2.
Nations Cup Squad is as follows:
Anna Crowley
Anna Willocks
Brooke Roberts
Casey Crowley
Emma Findlay
Emma Rainey
Grace O'Hanlon
Hannah Cotter
Hannah Gravenall
Holly Pearson
Kaitlin Cotter
Mezzy Surridge
Olivia Shannon (C)
Paige Blake
Rebecca Baker
Riana Pho
Stephanie Dickins
Britt Wang
Match Schedule:
Sunday, February 23 at 3pm (Chilean Time) vs Korea
Monday, February 24 at 7am (NZT)
Tuesday, February 25 at 5pm (Chilean Time) vs Ireland
Wednesday, February 26 at 9am (NZT)
Thursday, February 27 at 3pm (Chilean Time) vs Scotland
Friday, February 28 at 7am (NZT)
Semifinals:
Saturday, March 1 (Chilean Time)
Sunday, March 2 (NZT)
Finals:
Sunday, March 2 (Chilean Time)
Monday, March 3 (NZT)