New Zealand’s Women’s Coach Mark Hager has selected 18 players to travel to India in April for a four nation’s tournament. All 18 players come from the 31 trialists.

Of note is the selection of five new caps, Stacey Brannigan, Ella Gunson and Katie Glynn of Auckland, Anita Punt of Wellington and Anna Thorpe of Northland. Thorpe becomes the latest in a very long line of Northland-bred Black Sticks Women’s players.

Beth Jurgeleit, Kate Saunders, Sheree Horvath, Emily Naylor, Stacey Carr, Kayla Sharland, Gemma Flynn and Krystal Forgesson, all Beijing Black Sticks, have been given the chance to reclaim their spots after a disappointing Olympic campaign.

Four players have made their way back into the team having missed the Olympic campaign – Clarissa Eshuis, Kate Mahon, Charlotte Harrison and Honor Dillon.

The women leave for India on 22 Apri and compete against India, Canada and Azerbaijan from 25 April to 2 May.

The Black Sticks Women for India are: Anna Thorpe, Charlotte Harrison, Bianca Russell, Stacey Brannigan, Katie Glynn, Ella Gunson, Krystal Forgesson, Honor Dillon, Gemma Flynn, Clarissa Eshuis, Kate Mahon, Emily Naylor, Sheree Horvath, Kayla Sharland, Anita Punt, Beth Jurgeleit, Stacey Carr, Kate Saunders.

Source: Hockey New Zealand