Hockey: Kamo Intermediate 'old girls' dominate Black Sticks

New Zealand Black Sticks women's hockey players Anna Thorpe, Stacey Michelsen, Alana Millington, Samantha Harrison, Laura Douglas, Jan Burrows, Ella Gunson and Charlotte Harrison. Photo / Brett Phibbs

There should be no surprise by the air of familiarity within the New Zealand women's team when they run out to play world champions Argentina this afternoon.

In what must be a unique situation in New Zealand sport, eight of Mark Hager's Black Sticks' 18-strong squad played their early hockey at Kamo Intermediate School - just a decent stone's throw from today's venue.

Jan Burrows, Laura Douglas, Ella Gunson, Charlotte and Samantha Harrison, Stacey Michelsen, Alana Millington and Anna Thorpe are in the squad for the first of the three internationals they will play against Argentina.

They are joined by development squad members Jasmin McQuinn (who has 21 international caps) and Carli Michelsen as "old girls" of the suburban Whangarei school.

"Some of us played together at primary school before that," said Stacey Michelsen this week. "After intermediate school we tended to drift apart with some going to Kamo High and others to Whangarei Girls' High.

"And, when it came to the NHL, some played for Northland but others went elsewhere."

But, as a warning to other teams, most of the Northland connection will be reunited this season.

Under Hockey New Zealand's new ruling, players are expected to return to their "state of origin" for the NHL, which promises to give Northland a strong hand.

"Almost all of us are going to play for Northland which is awesome," said Michelsen. "We want to try and win it for Northland."

In recent years there has been a huge drift away from the province, with a number of players turning out for other associations, with North Harbour and Auckland benefiting.

While most are committed to making themselves available for Northland, Burrows and Sam Harrison have indicated they want to play for Auckland - where they are playing their club hockey. That, Michelsen agrees, will only add spice to that encounter.

Hager sees this strong Northland presence as a bonus.

"While they haven't played together a lot in recent years, it is a bit of a bonus with knowing each other so well and what kind of leads they can expect," said Hager. "It is pretty unique to have such a strong representation from one school."

Hager said the closest he had experienced was in Australia where three men's Olympic captains (including himself) had all played for Maryborough, in Queensland.

Of more pressing concern is the series against Argentina who, even without seven-time world player of the year Luciana Aymar, promise to be a big step up for New Zealand after series wins over Korea and Japan.

"They will be more methodical than the Koreans and Japanese," said Hager, who spent much of Thursday's training session relaying to his players what they can expect from the lively South Americans.

"It is hard to identify any weaknesses but that doesn't mean we will sit back and defend. We want to pressure them as high up the pitch as we can."

A tall order perhaps but one this team has shown they are capable of achieving.