Shaw calls time on Black Sticks career

Bradley Shaw during the men's match against Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran Black Sticks defender Bradley Shaw has announced his retirement from international hockey following a career spanning more than a decade.

The 33-year-old Cantabrian made his debut at the 2004 Champions Trophy in Pakistan and over the following 12 years played 192 tests for New Zealand.

Shaws final tournament for the Black Sticks was at the recent Rio Olympic Games, with his focus now on spending more time at home with his wife and two children.

"For me its been a long career and one I have enjoyed immensely, but its time to move on to the next phase of life," he said.

"There are a lot of people who I need to thank for making this journey possible, especially my wife who has put a lot of her ambitions aside to support me. My parents, family and sponsors like Just Hockey and Gryphon really gave me the ongoing assistance to keep going for so long."

"Im still keen to be involved in hockey, so will still be out on the turf for my club as well as be available for Canterbury in the national league next year if selected."

There are plenty of highlights for Shaw, including representing New Zealand at three Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016) and two Commonwealth Games (2006, Glasgow 2014).

One moment which will stick in everyones mind is when he scored the winning goal against Argentina in the final of the 2008 Olympic qualifying tournament at North Harbour.

"That Olympic qualifying tournament was a huge highlight for me, but more for what we achieved as a team rather than me scoring the winning goal. We were suddenly thrust into the Olympic frame and realised we could do something special."

Head coach Colin Batch said Shaw was a quality defender who was renowned for his defensive intensity whenever he got out onto the turf.

"Bradley managed the difficult task of balancing his work, family life and often training in isolation from the national squad to become a world class player," Batch said.

"I would like to thank him for his service to hockey in New Zealand and also to his family for supporting him along the way. I wish them all the very best for the future."

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ