Hockey New Zealand is happy to announce the Vantage Black Sticks Ladies’s squad for the upcoming Summer time of Hockey sequence in Dunedin, marking a particular return to residence soil because the workforce begins its construct towards the 2026 FIH Ladies’s World Cup. The Summer time of Hockey sequence offers an necessary alternative to reconnect with followers, play worldwide hockey in Aotearoa, and proceed constructing momentum following a profitable 2025 season.
The Dunedin occasion will deliver worldwide opposition to New Zealand shores and create a festival-style environment for gamers, followers, and the broader hockey group. For the Vantage Black Sticks Ladies, the sequence is a precious probability to check combos, welcome gamers again into the surroundings, and proceed creating depth and connection inside the squad as preparations ramp up for a significant World Cup 12 months.
Vantage Black Sticks Ladies Captain Olivia Shannon is worked up about what the sequence represents for the group. “It’s thrilling to have hockey again in New Zealand and to start our build-up to the World Cup at residence. Being again on the pitch after a giant and profitable 2025, welcoming gamers again from harm, and seeing this group come collectively goes to be actually thrilling. We’ve bought an incredible squad and I can’t wait to see what we are able to do in Dunedin and in 2026.”
The squad options a mixture of expertise and rising expertise, with some key returns including additional power to the group. Katie Doar makes her return to worldwide hockey following an extended rehabilitation course of after surgical procedure, along with her dedication and resilience all through restoration a powerful reflection of her character. Liz Thompson additionally returns to the Black Sticks surroundings after time away from the worldwide stage, incomes her choice by means of sturdy performances within the Premier Hockey League and bringing precious expertise again into the squad.
The Vantage Black Sticks Ladies squad for the Summer time of Hockey: ANNA CROWLEY, BRITT WANG, CASEY CROWLEY, ELLA HYATT-BROWN, EMMA RAINEY, GRACE O’HANLON, HANNAH COTTER, HANNAH GRAVENALL, HOLLY PEARSON, HOPE RALPH, JOSEPHINE MURRAY, JULIA GLUYAS, KAITLIN COTTER, KATIE DOAR, LIZ THOMPSON, MEZZY SURRIDGE, OLIVIA SHANNON, REBECCA BAKER, RIANA PHO, TESSA REID.
The Summer time of Hockey sequence in Dunedin guarantees to ship high-quality worldwide hockey, a powerful residence benefit, and an thrilling subsequent chapter for the Vantage Black Sticks Ladies as they proceed their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE. (21-25 January 2026 on the Alexander McMillan Hockey Centre, Dunedin)
