FIH Pro League returns this weekend

Media Availability

Player availability is below.

• Dane Lett Thursday 3:30-5pm
• Arun Panchia Thursday 3:30-5pm
• Dominic Newman Saturday 3-5pm
• Rose Keddell Thursday 1-3pm 
• Stacey Michelsen Thursday 1-3pm

To book in an interview with one of these players please contact through to Matthew Williams on 022 063 5705.

After a two week gap in their schedule both Vantage Black Sticks return to action in a Friday night double header at North Harbour Hockey Stadium.

First up is the Vantage Black Sticks Women who will be taking on the up and coming United States Women. Following 2 wins out of 3 at Ngå Puna Wai Sports Hub the Vantage Black Sticks Women will be looking for another strong performance in the hopes of securing their 3rdwin of the FIH Pro League.

After struggling in their opening matches of the FIH Pro League the United States Women put a more convincing performance together against the Australian Women last weekend before eventually succumbing 2-1. They will be looking to back this performance up against a New Zealand side that looks to be finding their feet as the competition progresses.

The Vantage Black Sticks Women put in to convincing performances down in Christchurch which saw them thoroughly outclass the highly ranked Great Britain Women before eventually coming through a tough match against the China Woman 2-0.

Look out for Vantage Black Sticks Midfielder Sam Charlton who has so far amassed an incredible 231 caps for her country and seems to be getting stronger as the competition progresses. Sam has been playing a great set up role for her team, however don’t be surprised if she manages to find herself open in the attacking circle and looks to slot home a goal.

Black Sticks Coach Sean Dancer has made 3 changes to the side that beat China in which sees Madison Doar make her Pro League debut and younger sister Katie Doar is set to make her debut at 17 years old for the Vantage Black Sticks Women.

Following this match the Vantage Black Sticks Women will have one day to recover before Argentina comes to town for the second match of the weekend which is on Sunday at 4:40pm. Argentina has had a week off since their last match where they narrowly fell 2-1 to the Netherlands and will be looking to get their Pro League campaign back on track.

Vantage Black Sticks Women vs United States. Friday 8th March at 5:10pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport

Vantage Black Sticks Women vs Argentina. Friday 
10 th March at 4:40pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport

Name Position Caps
Sam Charlton Defender 231
Tarryn Davey Midfielder 42
Frances Davies Defender 58
Madison Doar Striker 30
Ella Gunson Defender 201
Megan Hull Defender 9
Rose Keddell Defender 188
Olivia Merry Striker 210
Stacey Michelsen © Midfielder 265
Brooke Neal Defender 158
Grace O’Hanlon Goalkeeper 43
Kirsten Pearce Striker 108
Sally Rutherford Goalkeeper 174
Olivia Shannon Striker 5
Kelsey Smith Midfielder 91
Liz Thompson Defender 178
Amy Robinson Striker 61
Katie Doar Defender Debut

The Vantage Black Sticks Men will be looking to put a tough couple of matches down in Christchurch behind them as they look to get their FIH Pro League campaign back on track this weekend against Spain. Despite an improved effort on the offensive end the Black Sticks have been struggling to keep the opposition offences at bay.

Spain has been the real surprise team of the Men’s draw as they shocked the World Number 1 side Belgium in the opening match of the FIH Pro League. They also beat the Netherlands side in what has been an impressive opening few rounds for the Spanish Men. Watch out for Enrique Gonzalez who caused a number of problems for the Black Sticks Men at the World Cup and will be looking to put them under pressure once more.

For the Vantage Black Sticks Stephen Jenness returns to the side having missed the previous match against Germany. Watch out if Jenness gets open in the circle as he has a powerful shot and is capable of causing nightmares for opposing defences.

Following on from the match on Friday against Spain the Vantage Black Sticks will turn their attention towards Argentina who have started to put together some impressive performances after their 4-3 win against the Netherlands the previous week.

Dominic Newman will line up for his 50th match against the Argentina side in what is sure to be a strong Argentina defence that will be looking to minimise his goal scoring opportunities.

Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Spain Men. Friday 8th March at 7:10pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport

Name Position Caps
Richard Joyce Goalkeeper 62
George Enersen Goalkeeper 46
Shea McAleese Defender 281
Nic Woods Midfielder 101
Dane Lett Defender 46
Cory Bennett Defender 79
Arun Panchia © Defender 264
Kane Russell Defender 136
Harry Miskimmin Midfielder 52
Nick Ross Midfielder 102
Aidan Sarikaya Midfielder 30
Marcus Child Midfielder 145
Hayden Phillips Midfielder 74
Mac Wilcox Striker 23
Stephen Jenness Striker 225
Dylan Thomas Striker 11
Sam Lane Striker 35
Jared Panchia Striker 107

Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Argentina Men. Friday 10th March at 2:40pm. Coverage is on TVNZ Duke and Spark Sport

Name Position Caps
Richard Joyce Goalkeeper 62
George Enersen Goalkeeper 46
Shea McAleese Defender 281
Nic Woods Midfielder 101
Dane Lett Defender 46
Cory Bennett Defender 79
Arun Panchia © Defender 264
Kane Russell Defender 136
Dominic Newman Striker 49
Nick Ross Midfielder 102
Aidan Sarikaya Midfielder 30
Marcus Child Midfielder 145
David Brydon Defender 46
Mac Wilcox Striker 23
Stephen Jenness Striker 225
Dylan Thomas Striker 11
Sam Lane Striker 35
George Muir Striker 117

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