AKH athletes named by HNZ to trial for Performance Network

Congratulations from AKH to the following athletes who have been named by HNZ to trial for the first intake of the HNZ Performance Network.

Women

Breana Catley – Somerville

Madi Doar – Southern Districts

Maddie Dowe – Somerville

Tyler Lench – Howick Pakuranga

Amelia Marlow – Southern Districts

Alice Mcilroy Foster – Canterbury Uni

Deanna Ritchie – Howick Pakuranga

Phoebe Steele – Somerville

Lulu Tuilotolava – Southern Districts

Rose Tynan – Somerville

Tayla White – Southern Districts

Men

Ruan Bezundhoit – Roskill Eden

Malcolm Curley – Roskill Eden

Sam Houston – Somerville

Shae Iswar – Southern Districts

Jonty Keaney – Auckland University

Kim Kingstone – Southern Districts

Harry Lawson – Roskill Eden

Hamish McGeorge – Roskill Eden

Kieran O’Connor – Howick Pakuranga

Click here to view the full list.

The Performance Network is ‘a holistic development programme focusing on what the player needs. It can include players, coaches and umpires. HNZ has capacity for up to 50 players per gender, players will be 18 or over as at the 1st January, will be outside of the Vantage Black Sticks National Squad and will be showing the right characteristics and skills to potentially enter, or re-enter international hockey.’

HNZ’s network coaching staff, Colin Stewart (upper North Island), Mark Borgers (lower North Island) and Aaron Ford (the South Island) have made contact with each player in their designated area to understand their current situation and provide support.HNZ have connected all invited players and staff via video conference providing an update on the Performance Network, the current situation surrounding hockey and COVID-19. Players will receive an ‘at home’ strength and conditioning programme to support their physical development over the coming weeks.

Junior World Cup for both the men and women will be played in late 2021. The men will be in India and the Women in South Africa. HNZ have also have confirmation the teams are required to compete in a World Cup qualification event in December 2020. There are two qualification spots available for Oceania, Hockey NZ intends to host this and this event remains in their planning at this stage.