Four set to stick it to Aussies

Four young Wairarapa hockey players are about to taste the pressures of continuous international hockey for the first time.

In a remarkable illustration of the strength of age-group hockey in this part of the country, Jenna Anderson, Megan Hull, Morgan Percy and Felicity Reidy will be part of the New Zealand under-18 women's team which travels to Canberra for a five-test series against their Australian counterparts, starting early next month.

And that number came close to being five with Katherine van Woerkom being named as a non-travelling reserve.

Hockey Wairarapa regional development officer Jesse Workman said it was "unheard of" to have four Wairarapa players in the one national team and he had no doubts the quartet will do themselves proud against high- quality opposition.

"They have all worked very hard to get where they have, they won't let anybody down," he said.

The national side was named after a squad of 30 identified players attended a Hockey New Zealand training camp in Christchurch run by ex-Australia women's assistant coach Jason Butcher, now coach of the New Zealand under-18s. Other coaches at the camp included Black Sticks women's coach Mark Hager and his assistant in that role Greg Nicol.

A rigorous programme included fitness testing, training routines and in-squad matches over three days, with the 30 players finally being reduced to 20 for the trip to Canberra. With their four players, Wairarapa made up 20 per cent of the side.

Since being selected in the team the Wairarapa players had no more than a couple of days off before getting back into the swing of things to ensure they were in top shape for what lies ahead. Fitness sessions have been done in their own time and they have also attended organised training where a series of exercises, drills and small games have kept them on their toes.

Some of the province's higher-profile male players, such as Junior Black Stick Dane Lett and his brother Trent, Nick Finlayson (NZ under-18 men's reserve), Ben van Woerkom and Thomas Annear have worked alongside Workman to help them build their fitness and skill levels and Workman said they were "ready to go".

Hockey is not the wealthiest of sports and the four girls have had to raise funds for the trip. Workman is hopeful that the Wairarapa sporting and business community will help. That can be done by visiting their pages on the website fundraiseonline.co.nz or by contacting Hockey Wairarapa.