Hockey: Whangarei teenager is surprise selection

The goal-scoring form of Northland 16-year-old Charlotte Harrison has been recognised by her surprise inclusion in the New Zealand team to meet Australia in the Oceania Cup hockey series.

The fifth form student at Whangarei Girls High School is believed to be the youngest player ever selected for the national side.

Her shock inclusion as the only new cap in the 18-strong Black Sticks squad comes on the back of five goals for Northland in the just-completed national hockey league.

A member of the national under-16 squad, she recently scored seven goals in a three-match series against their Queensland counterparts.

She debuted for Northland as a 15-year-old last year.

Black Sticks coach Ian Rutledge said Harrison had been selected in recognition of her goal-scoring potential and for her pace and skill.

Rutledge has also brought three experienced players who all played at the 2000 Sydney Olympics -- Michelle Hollands, Caryn Paewai and Moira Senior -- back from the international wilderness for the three-test series, starting in Auckland on October 30, followed by two matches in Sydney.

Midfielder Hollands (nee Turner), returns to top-level hockey after having a baby. Hollands, 31, returned to provincial hockey this year for Canterbury.

She last played for New Zealand at the 2002 World Cup and has played 82 games for New Zealand.

"Hollands brings a hard-nosed level-headedness to the side and will add stability to the midfield," Rutledge said.

Paewai, 30, last played for the Black Sticks at the 2004 Olympics qualifying tournament in Auckland and was unlucky to not make the final cut for the Athens Olympics. The 110-test veteran, unavailable for Black Sticks selection earlier this year, was voted women's Most Valuable Player of the national league by her contemporaries.

Central striker Senior returns to the side after an injury break. The 29-year-old last played for New Zealand at the 2004 Champions Trophy and has 112 caps.

Top penalty corner striker Niniwa Roberts-Lang and defender Diana Weavers return from injury, having both missed the recent Indira Gandhi tournament in India.

Weavers has not played for New Zealand this year. With 156 caps, she will bring experience to the defence alongside Clarissa Eshuis and Lizzy Igasan.

In other inclusions of note, Auckland striker Krystal Forgesson retains her position after debuting for New Zealand at the Indira Gandhi tournament.

National coach Ian Rutledge said the team was the culmination of a period of player development and described it as the most exciting team he had named.

The winner of the Oceania Cup series will earn direct entry into next year's World Cup to be held in Spain in September.

The losing side must take a longer route through the World Cup qualifying tournament in Italy in April/May.

The Black Sticks finished a disappointing fourth at the Indira Gandhi Tournament, which was won by Australia.

- NZPA