Hockey: Sharland, Wilson on All Star list

Kayla Sharland. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealanders Nick Wilson and Kayla Sharland have been named in the international hockey federation's All Star teams for 2010.

Thirty-six players and four coaches have been named in the All Star team, which comprises athletes who have "lit up the hockey world" over the past year, the FIH website said.

"Kayla Sharland is a first time FIH All Star due to her stand-out displays for the young and gifted Black Sticks team."

Wilson, who was one of five nominees for the FIH's young player of the year award, is one of seven first-time appearances on the All Star team.

Sharland, 25, has 118 caps and was an integral part of the New Zealand women's team which finished seventh at the World Cup in Argentina in September, beating China 3-0.

Earlier, the New Zealanders contested the Champions Trophy in Nottingham, England, finishing fifth after downing China 4-3.

The Black Sticks women also took silver at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October, pushing Australia all the way before losing 2-4 on penalty strokes.

Wilson, 20, already has 79 caps for New Zealand, and featured this year in the Black Sticks' Champions Trophy campaign where they finished sixth, and the earlier World Cup, where they took ninth.

At the Commonwealth Games, the New Zealand men took bronze after beating England on penalty strokes.

- NZPA