Hockey: Door still open for injured Smith despite omission from top-30 squad

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Mandy Smith is missing from the list of 30 players named yesterday by New Zealand hockey coach Jan Borren to prepare for next year's heavy international programme.

But all might not be lost.

"Mandy needs time to reassess her injury situation and Jan is prepared to give her until next month to do that," Hockey Federation chief executive Ramesh Patel said last night.

"Provided she feels comfortable with her progress, and is prepared to commit to the international programme through to the end of next year, Jan would welcome her back.

"I think she would like to carry on and there is a strong chance she will be included, but she knows that in the past it has been difficult coming back from injury too soon.

"Mandy wants to get a full assessment on the extent of her [hamstring and back] injuries and take it from there."

The loss of Smith so soon after the retirement of evergreen Anna Lawrence would be a body blow to a team heading into one of their busiest years.

The 30-strong squad includes four newcomers - Nicky Grimwood, Kate Saunders, Colleen Gubb and Karen Sydall.

This quartet, along with goalkeeper Helen Clarke, Meredith Orr, Penny Munns and Diana Weavers, will join the 22 players who go to Australia next week.

After the team return from their eight-match (four-test) Australian tour, they will start a six-week fitness programme followed by six weeks of skills work and, in March, a series of trials. A home test series is then planned for May against either Japan or Spain.

The Telecom Black Sticks will have little rest after the July-August Commonwealth Games in Manchester when they head almost immediately to China for the six-nation Champions Trophy.

On their return they will be expected to play in the Lion Foundation national league before ending their hectic schedule in late November with the World Cup in Australia.

Squad: Paula Enoka, Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour), Sandy Bennett, Helen Clarke, Leisen Jobe, Meredith Orr, Jaimee Provan, Karen Sydall, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Piki Hamahona (Hawkes Bay), Tara Drysdale, Sheree Phillips, Melody Rowe, Moira Senior, Anita Wawatai (Manawatu), Lisa Bishop, Caryn Paewai, Suzie Pearce, Niniwa Roberts, Rachel Sutherland, Diana Weavers (Wellington), Amanda Christie, Nicky Grimwood, Rachel Helps, Anne-Marie Irving, Penny Munns, Kate Saunders, Michelle Turner, Carol Ward (Canterbury), Colleen Gubb (Invercargill).