There is a sprinkling of southern influence in the New Zealand under-21 squads named for upcoming Junior World Cup campaigns.
Hockey New Zealand yesterday announced the two Future Black Sticks squads for a busy period.
Otago University goalkeeper Hugh Nixon is in the men’s squad, alongside Jakarta Klebert and Finlay Neale, both of whom played for Otago as guest selections at the National Hockey Championship.
Otago midfielder Tom Meder is in the under-21 side for a warm-up tournament before the Junior World Cup. While he missed selection for the cup, he will be on stand-by for any injuries.
There is an Otago influence off the field, too, with the great Blair Tarrant serving as assistant coach.
Nina Murphy is the sole Otago player in the under-21 women’s squad.
The exciting Kings United talent took the Junior Hockey League by storm earlier this year and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Murphy then made her Black Sticks debut on the tour of the United States.
The Men’s Junior World Cup is in Chennai and Madurai, in India, from November 28 to December 10, while the Women’s World Cup is in Chile from December 1-13.
Men’s head coach Mike Delaney said he had a well-balanced squad that blended promising talent with international experience.
He was ‘‘delighted’’ to have Tarrant join the coaching staff.
‘‘Blair’s knowledge and experience at the highest level will bring huge value to this campaign and a fantastic learning opportunity for our players.’’
The under-21 New Zealand men have a challenging pool including Argentina, Japan and China.
Three of the women’s squad have already experienced the intensity of a Junior World Cup.
Both teams — the men in Malaysia, the women in Japan — will get warm-up games next month.
Future Black Sticks
The squads
Women: Katie Bond, Hannah Donald, Charlotte Dunn-Hall, Kaea Elliott, Greer Findlay, Hannah Findlay, Emma Findlay, Kate Fraser, Holly Hilton-Jones, Emma Irwin, Ella Leighton, Niamh Mckenzie, Cara Morrison, Nina Murphy, Jayda Pawhau, Riana Pho, Georgie Shotter, Mezzy Surridge, Charlie Wills.
Men: Aiden Bax, Owen Brown, Dean Clarkson, Jonty Elmes, Scott Illerbrun, Javahn Jones, Jakarta Klebert, Sam Lints, Rocco Ludolph, Finlay Neale, Gus Nelson, Hugh Nixon, Ryan Parr, Milan Patel, Bradley Rothwell, Matthew Ruetsch, Nick Stephenson, Jordan Whittleston.
