Hockey New Zealand is happy to announce the Vantage Black Sticks Males’s squad for the upcoming Summer time of Hockey collection in Hamilton, marking the staff’s return to residence soil as they start a essential build-up towards the 2026 FIH World Cup. The collection can be held on the Gallagher Hockey Centre which can now host a four-test-match worldwide collection between New Zealand and Japan.
The Summer time of Hockey additionally marks the primary time the Vantage Black Sticks Males have performed on residence soil for the reason that Oceania Cup in Whangārei in 2023 and comes off the again of a robust finish to 2025, together with a bronze medal end on the Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia and a gold medal end on the FIH Nations Cup additionally in Malaysia. Followers can count on quick, bodily and extremely aggressive hockey because the staff takes vital steps ahead in a World Cup 12 months.
Captain Sam Lane says beginning the brand new cycle at residence is a large increase for the group. “It’s thrilling to begin our crucial 2026 World Cup 12 months at residence enjoying in entrance of our followers once more. Though we love travelling collectively as a squad, nothing beats enjoying at residence. We’ve acquired an thrilling squad, regardless of just a few accidents, and having the expertise and high quality of gamers like Nic Woods and Kane Russell again within the group is an enormous increase heading right into a World Cup 12 months.”
The chosen squad for the Vantage Black Sticks Males’s Summer time of Hockey is:
AIDAN SARIKAYA, BENJI CULHANE, BRAD READ, CHARLIE MORRISON, DANE LETT, DOM DIXON, DYLAN THOMAS, GEORGE BAKER, GUS NELSON, ISAAC HOULBROOKE, JAMES HICKSON, JOE MORRISON, JONTY ELMES, KANE RUSSELL, MALACHI BUSCHL, MATT RUETSCH, NIC WOODS, SAM LANE, SIMON YORSTON, TIM NEILD.
Hockey New Zealand seems to be ahead to welcoming followers to Hamilton to assist the Vantage Black Sticks Males as they tackle Japan and launch an thrilling 12 months of worldwide hockey on residence turf.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE. (January 30-4 February 2026 on the Gallagher Hockey Centre, Hamilton)
