Hockey: Glittering career over for Parag

By TERRY MADDAFORD


After a record 214 games for the New Zealand men's hockey team, Wellington striker Umesh Parag has retired.

Few, if any, New Zealand sportsmen or women can boast such a record.

Parag returned last week from the honeymoon he took after the Athens Olympics, and played for Wellington in the national league finals.

But he made himself unavailable for New Zealand selection, saying he wanted to concentrate on other areas of his life.

He and Canterbury fullback Hayden Shaw, who is keen to play cricket for Canterbury this season, are the only players who went to the Olympics not to be included in the national squad named yesterday.

The 18 players for December's Champions Trophy in Pakistan will be named next week from the 23-strong squad.

The selectors have taken a steady-as-she-goes approach, with 19 of the players named having represented New Zealand.

A third goalkeeper will be added after a goalkeeping camp.

Eight players have been selected for the development squad. Three more will be added after the junior trials from October 30-31.

Women's coach Ian Rutledge has cast his net wider, naming seven new players in his 24-strong squad.

He has also recalled former international Moira Senior, who retired a couple of years ago due to injury.

She and fellow-Central striker Kayla Sharland were the top scorers in the national league.

There is, surprisingly, no room for the rejuvenated Connie Igasan, who led the scoring list until the final weekend.

But fellow-North Harbour player Jaimee Provan has held her place. The surprise newcomer is Karlie Maloney, 18.

Missing from the team who finished sixth in Athens are Helen Clarke (retired from all hockey), Leisen Jobe (retired from internationals) and Lisa Walton (overseas).