Hockey: Top squad promotion for Naylor

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Manawatu teenager Emily Naylor has come from left field to win a place in the New Zealand team to play next month's crucial Olympic women's qualifying tournament in Auckland.

The 18-year-old utility player has won her spot in the 18-strong squad as others with greater international experience, including 23-year-old Canterbury striker Amanda Christie - who has played more than 40 times for the Black Sticks - have been overlooked.

Another Canterbury player, 24-year-old midfielder Jo Galletly (10 caps) has also missed the final cut, as has Manawatu midfielder Melody Rowe, 20, with 18 caps.

Veteran Auckland goalkeeper Helen Clarke, 32, who is poised to join the "150 club" during the March 19-28 tournament at Lloyd Elsmore Park, is recalled, after missing the Argentine series in November, which coach Ian Rutledge used as an unofficial final trial.

Clarke, captain Suzie Pearce, last year's player of the year, Canterbury defender Di Weavers, and 102-test veteran Caryn Paewai are the only survivors from the Jan Borren-coached team who finished sixth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Clarke's expected recall has meant there is no place for her long- time understudy, 50-test veteran Anne-Marie Irving, 26, from Canterbury.

She has lost her place to 23-year-old Wellingtonian Beth Jurgeleit, who played only her third international against Argentina.

Of Naylor's selection, Rutledge said: "Emily came into the training camp with only a slight chance of making the team.

"In the end she was one of the first players picked.

"She is extremely talented. I watched her play for the New Zealand under-18 team against Australia last year but wanted to see more. She played those matches with a broken hand, which told us something about her character but didn't mean we saw the best hockey."

She has been named in the half line, but Rutledge said she had the ability to play left or right and is also a useful inside or strike forward.

Naylor joins another former Palmerston North Girls High School pupil, Kayla Sharland, in the team. Sharland, also 18, has already played 18 times for the Black Sticks.

"I was going to study full-time at Massey University this year but that has all changed now," said Naylor.

The team remain in Christchurch where they will play four matches against Japan from February 23-27.

They will reassemble in Auckland on March 9. Their first match is against Great Britain 10 days later.

Four or five of the 10 teams at the tournament will qualify for the Olympics.

New Zealand

Goalkeepers: Helen Clarke (Auckland) 32, 146 caps; Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington) 23, 3.

Defenders: Karen Syddall (Auckland) 25, 15; Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour) 21, 39; Diana Weavers (Canterbury) 28, 127.

Midfield: Meredith Orr (Auckland) 25, 34; Stacey Carr (Canterbury) 19, 6; Rachel Robertson (Canterbury) 27, 15; Caryn Paewai (Hawkes Bay) 28, 102; Tara Drysdale (Manawatu) 25, 42; Emily Naylor (Manawatu) 18, 0; Rachel Sutherland (Manawatu) 27, 76; Leisen Jobe (North Harbour) 30, 74; Suzie Pearce (Wellington) 28, 183, captain.

Strikers: Lisa Walton (Auckland) 28, 74; Kayla Sharland (Manawatu) 18, 18; Jaimee Provan (North Harbour) 26, 65; Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington) 27, 60.