Hockey New Zealand (HNZ) has named a developmental Black Sticks Women squad for their series against the United States.
The squad will play four matches against the touring USA at the National Hockey Centre in Auckland, including two practice matches and two tests on January 17 (5.30pm) and January 19 (3pm).
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The 24-player group includes five debutants - Britt Wang, Jamiee Eades, Julia Gluyas, Mezzy Surridge and Millie Calder - and is led by veterans Brooke Roberts, Hope Ralph, Rose Tynan and Steph Dickins.
Several leading players are unavailable for the series. Grace O'Hanlon, Olivia Shannon and Hannah Cotter will be playing in the Hockey India League, while Katie Doar is working back from injury, and Megan Gibson, Liz Thompson, Alia Jaques and Frances Davies are taking a break from international hockey.
"The players have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication throughout the Premier Hockey League season, and we believe this group has the potential to achieve great success," BSW head coach Phil Burrows said.
The squad is dominated by the Falcons and Alpiners, who contested the women's Premier Hockey League (PHL) final last weekend. The champion Falcons have 10 players and the Alpiners seven.
Tynan (England), Gravenall and Casey Crowley (Australia) come into the squad after competing overseas and missing the PHL.
This series serves as a crucial prep phase ahead of the FIH Nations Cup in Chile in February, as the team builds towards FIH Women's World Cup qualification against Australia in August.
BLACK STICKS WOMEN SQUAD
Anna Crowley, Anna Willocks, Breana Catley, Britt Wang, Brooke Roberts (gk), Casey Crowley, Emma Findlay, Emma Rainey, Hannah Gravenall, Holly Pearson, Hope Ralph, Jaimee Eades, Jessie Anderson, Julia Gluyas (gk), Kaitlin Cotter, Kirsty Nation (gk), Mezzy Surridge, Millie Calder, Paige Blake, Rebecca Baker, Riana Pho, Rose Tynan, Stephanie Dickins, Tessa Reid