Hockey: Black Sticks squad named

New Zealand hockey coach Shane McLeod today announced an initial 21-strong squad for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Invitational Tournament in Malaysia in early May.

Three players will be dropped before the team travels to Kuala Lumpur for the tournament which runs from May 5-15.

McLeod said the tournament would provide invaluable experience against teams the Black Sticks would meet at the 1012 London Olympics.

Players who performed well in the recent summer series against South Korea and Belgium featured in the squad ``so that we can provide exposure to new players and build depth''.

The New Zealand team will be bolstered by the return of veterans Dean Couzins, Kyle Pontifex and Phil Burrows, who were unavailable for the summer series. Experienced striker Gareth Brooks returns to the national programme and has been named in this squad. "Gareth's professional attitude towards the game and the support he can provide to the younger talented forward group will be a great asset to the team," McLeod said.

Current Black Sticks squad members Blair Hopping, Bradley Shaw and Ryan Archibald were unavailable for selection.

"Over the next six weeks we are aiming to develop some of the younger players in the team, and we will be particularly focused on game development so they learn more about our structures and tactics.

"Azlan Shah gives players a great opportunity to play against a range of top teams and learn about different playing styles," McLeod said.

Other teams competing in the tournament include Australia, Great Britain, Korea, Pakistan, India and Malaysia.

The New Zealand squad is: James Coughlan, David Green, Nick Haig, Andy Hayward, Simon Child, Dean Couzins, Blair Hilton, Marcus Child, Stephen Graham, Kyle Pontifex, Phil Burrows, Gareth Brooks, Blair Tarrant, Arun Panchia, Shea McAleese, Stephen Jenness, Richard Petherick, Hugo Inglis, Ben Collier, Steve Edwards

- NZPA