Hockey: Roberts on track for Under-21 World Cup

Whangarei born Brooke Roberts has been named as part of the New Zealand Women's Under 21 World Cup squad heading to Chile next month. Photo/Ned Dawson

A born and bred Whangarei goalkeeper is on her way to the Under-21 Hockey World Cup in Chile.

21-year-old Brooke Roberts, now playing for North Harbour, has made the final cut after impressing the selectors with her goal-stopping abilities.

Roberts said the selection was gratifying given all her preparations.

"It is really rewarding. There has been a lot of continuous hard work to remain selected and to put out consistent performances," she said.

"It's all very exciting. It will be the biggest tournament I've ever been involved in."

The selectors picked an initial squad of 40 last year and cut it down in May.

They then reduced it to 30 after the National Hockey League tournament, hosted by Whangarei, before selecting a squad of 18 for the World Cup.

Of course, a lot of training goes into getting selected for national honours and it's something Roberts definitely didn't shy away from.

"Throughout the last couple of years we were doing our own thing. We had to figure out our fitness and gym routines and then trained with the association," she said.

"I was fortunate enough to be training with the Black Sticks over the last year. We went through selection camps, which involved strength training, as well as working on basics, four times a week."

There was also an U21s tournament in May, which was a 12-week campaign, as well as the NHL campaign.

Brooke Roberts with North Shore United premier coach and former Northland player Mark Dumpster after receiving the Premier Womens Most Valuble Player award and Young Player of the Year.

"Eighteen of us played in the recent Australian Hockey League. Then we came back here and were straight into training," she said.

"We have hockey sessions five or six times a week, two to three strength and conditioning sessions and another three fitness and cardio sessions."

"On top of that, I personally do footwork sessions. Footwork is really important for me as a goalkeeper."

Roberts grew up in Whangarei, attending Otaika Valley School, Whangarei Intermediate and Whangarei Girls' High School before moving down the line for further studies.

Roberts said playing in Northland for her junior years was vital to her progression as a player.

"Until the end of school, I played for the Hora Hora hockey club. It was there that Sandra Fields introduced me to goalkeeping," she said.

"I was coached under Bevan Gibb, who was one of the most significant coaches I've ever had."

"I then commuted from Auckland to Maungakaramea for a season after school. Playing here was really beneficial for my hockey. Northland is a great place to come up and develop your hockey skills."

Now living in Auckland, Roberts has put her studies on hold as she focuses on her hockey but, depending on how thing's go, could be heading back with a different path in mind.

"I was doing a Sport and Recreation degree but if I go back to do more papers, I'd like to look at a Bachelor of Arts, focusing on psychology."

Roberts has good expectations for the upcoming tournament, but winning isn't the only focus.

"Especially in juniors it's about development. As much as we want to win, we want to develop and see where we go. We want to see how we navigate our way through the levels," she said.

"We hope to get through group stage and into playoffs. A top-six finish is very realistic. Consistent performances could even see us in top four."

"If we keep up our top performances at big world events, we could take it out."

The Junior World Cup in Chile kicks off on November 24.