Vantage Black Sticks announce teams to take on Great Britain

Vantage Black Sticks announce teams to take on Great Britain

Free to use images which is going to be updated throughout the FIH Pro League
https://www.dropbox.com/…/k09fzy…/AABFJnwOM1FvMvGfwli7RjUUa…
Release Begins
The Vantage Black Sticks Men will be looking to build on the great start they have made to the FIH Pro League when they play the first international hockey match at Ng? Puna Wai Sports Hub in Christchurch. International Field Hockey will return to Christchurch for the first time since Porrit Park was destroyed in the 2011 Earthquakes. 
The Black Sticks have been impressive in their opening two matches of the FIH Pro League when they came from 3 goals down against the World Number 3 side The Netherlands before eventually going down 4-3. The following weekend they then took the World Number 1 and World Champion Belgium side to a shootout after drawing the game 4-4. The Black Sticks will look to continue their positive style of hockey they have been playing and look to put the Great Britain side on the back foot from the start of the game. 
The last time these two sides met was at the 2018 Hockey World Cup when (as England) they beat the Black Sticks 2-0 to knock them out of the World Cup. The Black Sticks are playing a much more attacking style of hockey and will challenge the Great Britain defence a lot more in this match. Look out for Great Britain Co Captain Phil Roper who will consistently trouble the Black Sticks defence. Roper also has a habit of scoring when his side needs him to the most. 
Hugo Inglis has been sensational up front for the Black Sticks in the first two matches having scored 3 goals and playing a great facilitator role in setting up the other attackers. Inglis is currently the leading goal scorer of the FIH Pro League and will look to continue this rich vein of form and help the Black Sticks as they look to upset the Great Britain side. 
Nic Woods will line up for his 100thtest match. Nic at the age of only 23 has established himself as one of the most reliable and exciting midfielders in international hockey. Against the World Champions last weekend Nic showed class to provide a lot of set up play and shut down the electric Belgium midfield. 
Darren Smith says “Great Britain is a well organised side which moves the ball around really well. They will be another tough challenge for our team.”

Vantage Black Sticks Men vs Great Britain Men. Friday 8thFebruary at 5:30pm. Coverage is on TVNZ 2 
Name Position Caps
George Enerson Goalkeeper 45
Richard Joyce Goalkeeper 60
Shea McAleese Defender 279
Dane Lett Defender 44
Blair Tarrant Defender 195
Harry Miskimmin Midfielder 52
Kane Russell Defender 134
Arun Panchia Defender 262
Nic Woods Midfielder 99
Nick Ross Midfielder 100
Sam Lane Striker 33
Marcus Child Midfielder 143
Mac Wilcox Midfielder/Striker 21
Hugo Inglis Striker 218
Hayden Phillips Striker 47
Jared Panchia Striker 107
Stephen Jenness Striker 224
Dylan Thomas Striker 9

The Vantage Black Sticks Women are going to look to bounce back from the shock of losing to Belgium in the last minute of play this past Friday. The Black Sticks have created a number of opportunities in the opening matches of the FIH Pro League however their final touches have not happened yet. Look for an improved focus on the offensive end for the Vantage Black Sticks as they look to spoil Mark Hagers first game in charge of Great Britain and give the kiwi side their first win of the league. 
The Vantage Black Sticks Women have made two changes to the side that took narrowly lost to Belgium which sees young Midlands midfielders Alia Jaques and Shiloh Gloyn come back into the side. 
The last time these two sides met was the Semi Final at the Commonwealth Games where the Black Sticks Women came out victorious in a penalty shootout win. 
Sean Dancer’s Black Sticks Women have looked incredibly resolute on defence only conceding 2 goals through the first two rounds of the FIH Pro League. Both goalkeepers used so far in Sally Rutherford and Grace O’Hanlon have looked dynamite in goal and have had a fantastic support from Brooke Neal and Liz Thompson who have been shutting down whatever the oppositions have been throwing at them. 
Sean Dancer commented ahead of the match against Great Britain “We are creating a number of opportunities but not getting the result which is going to be an important focus for this game.”

Vantage Black Sticks Women vs Great Britain Women. Friday 8th February at 7:30pm. Coverage is on TVNZ 2 
Name Position Caps
Sally Rutherford Goalkeeper 172
Grace O’Hanlon Goalkeeper 40
Sam Charlton Defender 228
Tarryn Davey Defender 39
Frances Davies Defender 55
Shiloh Gloyn Midfielder 76
Ella Gunson Defender 198
Megan Hull Defender 6
Alia Jaques Midfielder 4
Rose Keddell Defender 185
Olivia Merry Striker 207
Stacey Michelsen Defender 263
Brooke Neal Defender 156
Kirsten Pearce Striker 105
Olivia Shannon Striker 2
Kelsey Smith Striker 88
Liz Thompson Defender 175
Amy Robinson Striker 58
Release Ends

What is the FIH Pro League?
The FIH Pro League – Presented by Sentinel Homes will see home and away games between the world’s top 9 Men’s and Women’s hockey nations played between January and June, starting in 2019, culminating in a winner takes all Grand Final. More details athttp://blacksticks.co.nz/2019FIHProLeague