Hockey: NZ can only get better, says coach

New Zealand failed to win a game in the elite Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament but coach Ian Rutledge believes the seeds have been sown for the Beijing Olympics.

It was New Zealand's second failure in the recent months after they didn't qualify for the World Cup.

The Black Sticks were beaten 1-2 by Australia in the playoff for fifth in Amsterdam last night, losing all six game they played in tournament for the world's top six.

However, they finally scored their first goal of the tournament -- after 418 minutes of play -- when Honor Dillon slotted in two minutes from fulltime.

But their most recent failure won't hurt them as much as missing a place in the World Cup -- which will deny them top ranking and a place in the next Champions Trophy.

But outgoing coach Rutledge believes the Black Sticks can develop into a strong unit by the time Beijing 2008 comes around.

"This team is in good heart," he told NZPA last night.

"We were the youngest team at this tournament and we competed well against the experienced sides here. Tonight we could have beaten Australia but were unfortunate not to take a couple of good chances.

"The frontline is learning fast and we've got a 16-year-old (Charlotte Harrison) and 23-year-old (Honor Dillon) doing a great job there -- they will get better. In the middle we have 19 and 20 years olds, so this team will do well."

The Black Sticks produced some stunning results under Rutledge until unavailability and retirement denied the team the much-needed experience for major tournaments this year.

Rutledge, 34, has already said he wouldn't been seeking an extension to the national coach's job he has held for three years when his term expires in October.

He cited a need to work regular hours to be around his family as a reason for his decision rather than the fallout with leading player Lizzy Igasan since the Commonwealth Games in March.

Igasan is expected to return to the team but another experienced player, Diana Weavers, who captained the team during the Champions Trophy, played her last game last night.

"She's been a wonderful player for New Zealand, perhaps an all-time great defender for New Zealand," Rutledge said.

Weavers She is retiring after 11 seasons with the Black Sticks.

"Throughout this tournament I have been proud of the way the team has stepped up and their desire to get better and learn from every match," she said.

"The way they have handled themselves shows New Zealand has a great future as New Zealand can only improve by playing top teams."

With their absence from next year's Champions Trophy, the Black Sticks will be denied the experience and the chance to gauge themselves against the world's best in the leadup to Beijing.

They drew 0-0 with Australia in round-robin play in Amsterdam and suffered heavy defeats to China (0-4), Argentina (0-3), Germany (0-3) and the Netherlands (0-3).

After a scoreless first half last night, Australia striker Donna-Lee Patrick scored in 49th and 60th minute before Dillon pulled one back for New Zealand in the 68th minute.

For Australia, their fifth placing was their worst result in the tournament.

Australia won the tournament more times (six) than any other country and are the only team to have played in all 14 tournaments.

- NZPA