A spot in Paris is on the line for the Vantage Black Sticks Men and Women as they head to Oman and India, respectively, for their Olympic qualification tournaments next month.
Muscat, Oman and Ranchi, India play host to an eight team tournament with the top 3 teams securing an Olympic berth. Consisting of two pools of four the top two teams in each pool advance to the semi-finals with the winners of the semi-finals automatically earning their spot, while the bronze medal match decides the final team.
The Black Sticks Men, ranked 11th in the world, have Canada (17), Chile (22), and old foes Germany (5), in their pool – with Great Britain, Pakistan, Malaysia, and China in the other. While the Women (9) face India (6), USA (15), and Italy (19) – Germany, Japan, Chile, and Czechia make up the other pool.
Both Black Sticks sides will be heading into their tournaments well prepared with the Women coming off a two match test series, and three friendly matches, against the USA – the test series was tied one apiece, but the Black Sticks won all three friendlies. The team will also have a stopover in Malaysia on the way to India for two warm up matches.
The Black Sticks Men have also completed a successful friendly series against Korea (10) and Malaysia (12) winning all eight of their games and hitting the back of the net 29 times providing them with confidence heading into Oman.
Men’s head coach Greg Nicol is pleased by what he saw from his team over the past two weeks saying, “We had some impressive performances across the December series which made selection highly competitive.
“We have prepared well for the challenge ahead and with the team playing well we are hopefully hitting our straps at the right time.”
Women’s head coach Phil Burrows is equally pleased with his side’s results.
“It’s good to get wins under our belt, especially against one of the teams we’ll be competing against for a spot in Paris.
“I’m confident that we will be ready for the tournament in India and I know this group of players is highly motivated to show what they can do.”
The Black Sticks Women’s opening match is against Italy, January 14 12.30am NZT. The Men start their tournament against Chile, January 16 5am NZT. The Black Sticks matches will be available to watch live and on-demand on TVNZ+, with all other matches streaming on the FIH’s Watch.Hockey platform.
VANTAGE BLACK STICKS WOMEN
Sam Child, Hannah Cotter, Kailtin Cotter*, Casey Crowley, Tarryn Davey, Frances Davies, Steph Dickins, Katie Doar, Hannah Gravenall, Megan Hull ©, Alia Jaques, Julia King, Olivia Merry ©, Grace O’Hanlon, Hope Ralph, Brooke Roberts, Olivia Shannon, Liz Thompson, Rose Tynan, Anna Willocks*.
*Travelling Reserves
Match 1 vs Italy – Jan 14 12.30am NZT
Match 2 vs India – Jan 15 3am NZT
Match 3 vs USA – Jan 17 12.30am NZ
VANTAGE BLACK STICKS MEN
George Baker*, Scott Boyde, Malachi Buschl*, Dom Dixon, Sean Findlay, Leon Hayward, Sam Hiha, Isaac Houlbrooke, Hugo Inglis, Sam Lane, Dane Lett, Charlie Morrison, Joe Morrison, Hayden Phillips, Kane Russell, Aidan Sarikaya, Jake Smith, Blair Tarrant, Nic Woods ©, Simon Yorston.
*Travelling Reserves
Match 1 vs Chile – Jan 16 1am NZT
Match 2 vs Germany – Jan 17 1am NZT
Match 3 vs Canada – Jan 19 1am NZT