Mum keeps in touch at Olympics

Some of the women's Black Sticks will stay and play hockey in Europe after the Olympic Games but not Alana Millington - she's booked on the first available flight home after the closing ceremony.

Millington is the only mother on the team and her only contact with her 2-year-old son Jordan is via the digital link Skype.

"I miss him so much every day but I know he's in great hands and Skyping him really helps us get together," she said.

The only problem, they have found, is when mum has to go.

"We've started limiting the time we Skype as he gets upset when we say goodbye and I don't like to see him upset when I'm away. Fortunately he's a typical toddler and I know he is fine two minutes after I've gone."

And Millington should know.

"Working at Tikipunga Educare has taught me that. As long as I know he's fine, I'm fine. I have full trust in my family in making sure he is okay," she said.

Her partner Sean Laybourn is being assisted by his family and Millington's family.

"Sean is a very hands-on dad and always has been with Jordan. I am very grateful to him as I am to all the people who are helping to look after Jordan while I'm away."

Millington was the bolter into the squad, included at the 11th hour of the build-up, a late replacement on the tour to China and Korea.

But she can expect good game time at the tournament as can the rest of the Northland contingent - Ella Gunson, Stacey Michelsen, Sam and Charlotte Harrison - in the 16-strong team.

The 24-year-old said the team sat comfortably in the "group of death" alongside Argentina, Australia, Germany, South Africa and US.

"We like it as it probably means there will not be a clear leader on the points table in our pool right until the end of pool play and that will keep our chances of making top four alive. We need to place in the top two in our pool to make the playoffs so it's a big ask but definitely a possibility and we are very excited about the challenge," she said.

The team spirit was great and they had been doing their "hockey homework" on the other teams so they can be as prepared as possible.

The Kiwis face their nemesis Australia in their all-important opener tomorrow.

"If you want to be the best you've got to beat the best so it'll be great if we knocked out the top teams early," she said.

Millington said the emergence of Michelsen as a genuine international star has come at the right time for the team.

"Stacey had her 100th cap against Belgium and scored a goal showing what a legend she is already and how much flair she has. She is very exciting to play with and I am honoured to play alongside such a world-class player and even more proud that she is from Whangarei," she said.

Millington said everybody "back home" should be very excited and proud to watch Michelsen in the Olympic campaign.

It's likely that her son Jordan will be one of the many hockey fans back home getting up in the wee small hours to cheer on the Black Sticks but most likely he'll have eyes only for his mum.