Hockey: Trials bring new faces

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Nine players who have yet to represent New Zealand are among 29 called to trials by new national women's coach Ian Rutledge.

Northland's Connie Igasan is among players from the Academy squad selected for the trials.

She gets the chance to play alongside her sister, Lizzy, who is back after being sidelined by injury.

The Black Sticks have four tests against Canada followed by the crucial Oceania Cup matches against Australia in a busy May schedule.

The players named for the April 10-13 trials at North Harbour's Rosedale Park:

Helen Clarke, Kim Noakes, Meredith Orr, Karen Syddall (Auckland), Stacey Carr, Amanda Christie, Jo Galletly, Nikki Grimwood, Helene Isaac, Karen Mee, Kate Saunders, Carol Ward, Diana Weavers (Canterbury), Piki Hamahona, Caryn Paewai (Hawkes Bay), Tara Drysdale, Melody Rowe, Kayla Sharland, Anita Wawatai (Manawatu), Paula Enoka, Jaimee Provan (North Harbour), Connie Igasan, Lizzy Igasan, Jan Rowsell (Northland), Lisa Bishop, Beth Jurgeleit, Suzie Pearce, Niniwa Roberts-Lang, Rachel Sutherland (Wellington).

Yet to play for NZ: Noakes, Carr, Galletly, Grimwood, Isaac, Sharland, C. Igasan, Rowsell, Jurgeleit.