Latest news with #BlackSticks
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Finn Ward's turn — with brother Patrick in the mix
PHOTO: ODT FILES Otago hockey star Finn Ward has been named in the Black Sticks and his brother Patrick has been named as a back-up. Patrick has played for the Black Sticks previously, but Finn will be on debut. He is joined in the Black Sticks squad by Otago team-mates Malachi Buschl and Benji Culhane. Patrick has been named as a travelling reserve. The team will contest the 2025 Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur from June 15-21. The Black Sticks, who won the tournament last year, return with a fresh opportunity to build on that momentum and push for top honours again. Coach Greg Nicol has named a squad that blends international experience with exciting young talent, including three debutants: Louis Beckert, Gus Nelson and Finn Ward. Their inclusion reflects the depth and development coming through the New Zealand hockey pathway. ''This is a great opportunity to expose new talent to international tournament hockey,'' Nicol said. ''Our focus is to keep building on last year's performance, playing a bold style of hockey and continuing to grow as a group.'' Dylan Thomas and Patrick Ward will also travel with the team as reserves. The last time the Black Sticks played a test match was during the Paris Olympics last August. This tournament is a valuable opportunity to represent New Zealand on a world stage and to build connections in preparation for Oceania Cup later this year. Black Sticks 2025 Nations Cup Louis Beckert, Dom Dixon, Scott Cosslett, Benji Culhane, Charlie Morrison, Brad Read, Simon Yorston, Malachi Buschl, Sean Findlay, Gus Nelson, Hayden Phillips, Nic Woods, Finn Ward, George Baker, Scott Boyde, Jonty Elmes, Sam Hiha, Sam Lane, Dylan Thomas (TR), Patrick Ward (TR). Schedule June 15, v Japan June 17, v Malaysia June 18, v Pakistan June 20, semifinals June 21, final
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay sporting talent on show for international tournaments
Four players who have played hockey for Hawke's Bay have retained their places in the New Zealand women's Black Sticks squad for a five-match series in the US next month. They include captain and Manawatu-raised Olivia Shannon, who was a student at Iona College, Havelock North, from 2013 to 2018,
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tough time on the training turf
Sports reporter Sam Coughlan has trained in the boxing ring, been pummelled at rugby union and league practices, and had rings run around him at football and netball training. In the final part of the series, he hits the hockey turf to train with the Marist premier team Of all the sports I've tried so far, I think I felt the least comfortable playing hockey. It didn't help that the skill level was much higher than in the other sports – instead of regular club players, I found myself alongside several athletes who have either represented or are tipped to represent the Black Sticks. So, it's no surprise I struggled. It took me a while just to figure out how to pick up and hold the stick properly and control the ball. We began with a warm-up of bear crawls, short bounds, and skips, before moving into a brutal sprint drill. Starting on our knees, we had to spring up – which is harder than it sounds – and sprint to a line. After several reps, knees aching from the turf, we did the same thing but turning at the line to sprint back to the start. My lack of turf shoes comes back to bite me, losing my footing on several occasions. Finally let loose with a stick, I try to find my technique taking penalty corners, flicking the ball to a player at the edge of the circle. After a couple of poor attempts, I received some tips on technique – it helps when your teacher is Black Stick Charlie Morrison, a key player for Marist. Next, I tried shooting – experimenting with drag flicks, regular flicks, and even trying to give it a golf-style whack. None were successful. Most shots dribbled wide or went straight to the keeper – if I connected with the ball at all. A later drill, where a midfielder passes to a winger who then sets up a striker to score, boosted my confidence. I've worked out how to control the ball and play a pass, although getting much power behind any shots is proving difficult. When the team began a half-field game, I was advised to sit it out. Probably wise, considering my tiny football shin pads, lack of a mouthguard, and just 30 minutes of hockey under my belt. Watching the teams clash proved thrilling. The ease and accuracy with which they moved the ball was incredible, especially compared to my clumsy, off-target efforts. Like with every other sport I've thrown myself into, I loved the challenge of trying something new and picking up a few basic skills, even if it's abundantly clear I'm so far off the pace it isn't funny.
