Three schoolboys have been named in the New Zealand junior men's (under-21) hockey team to play a series against Australia next month.
The three-match series in Wellington from December 7-11 is part of the Oceania Junior World Cup qualifier.
Schoolboys named were Aucklanders Hamish Baron, 18, and Simon Child and Daniel Juno, 18, of Wellington.
At 16, Child is the youngest in the side.
North Harbour's Shaun Barnett and Canterbury's Shea McAleese were also named in the team after selection in the New Zealand senior squad last month.
Richard Petherick (Waikato), Tim Gyles (Wellington), Child, Baron and Ben Collier (North Harbour) are part of the development squad.
National junior coach Anthony Thornton said a feature of the team was a particularly strong midfield where Barnett, Collier, Hugh Copland and McAleese play.
The team also have a strong drag flick weapon in Petherick, who has worked hard on developing his role.
"The Australians take their Junior team very seriously. For both countries it is the next step to the national senior team," he said.
"For us the under-18 national teams are important, but this is a big step up."
Squad: Copland, McAleese, Jan Peterson, Andy Hayward, (Canterbury), Stephen Graham (Manawatu), Gyles, Juno (Wellington), Petherick, (Waikato), Collier, Simon Brill, David Green, Barnett, (North Harbour), Warren Kreft, Child, Gareth Spittal, Baron, (Auckland). Non-travelling reserves: Marcus Emery (Manawatu), Scott Barnett (Wellington).
- NZPA
Hockey: Three schoolboys in NZ under-21 team
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