Three new caps have been named in the Black Sticks team to compete at the 2004 Champions Trophy in Argentina early next month.

The new players are Karlie Maloney (North Harbour), Jessica Brewster (Auckland) and Honor Dillon (Canterbury).

Maloney is the youngest of the newcomers at 18 and was selected on her NZHL form for North Harbour. A well balanced and efficient player she is also versatile - comfortable either as a striker or in the midfield.

Brewster, (20), has stepped up from the 2004 NZ Development Squad and showed her improved maturity as a player during the NZHL. She scored six goals for Auckland and is developing a talent in this area.

Dillon, (22), was selected purely on her outstanding NZHL form for Canterbury. She is technically proficient and athletic and has been selected as a striker.

Eleven of the players named are Athens Olympians.

Three are national squad members who did not make the final cut for the Athens Olympics team but have since strengthened areas of their games. Their improvement was noted during the NZHL and they have been rewarded with recalls.

The players are: Manawatu goal keeper Anita Wawatai who played six games for NZ in 2001 and 2003; Manawatu defender Sheree Phillips who played three games for NZ 2003 and Canterbury halfback Jo Galletly who has played 10 games, debuting in 2003.


2000 Sydney Olympian Moira Senior is recalled to the side after an injury break and brings leadership qualities and a proven goal scoring ability.

Suzie Muirhead was not available for Champions Trophy, due to work commitments. The side will be captained by Di Weavers. Lizzy Igasan, Rachel Sutherland and Niniwa Roberts-Lang have been named joint vice captains, a move designed to extend the leadership base of the team.

National Coach Ian Rutledge sees the Champions Trophy as an opportunity to measure players against the world’s best, heading into a four year plan which focuses on the 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2006 World Cup and 2008 Olympics.

“Our goals are to broaden the players’ experience, increase our leadership base and qualify for the 2005 Champions Trophy” he said.

The Champions Trophy will be played in Rosario, Argentina from November 6-14. New Zealand qualified to participate in the tournament by finishing sixth at the Athens Olympics.

Participating teams are Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

2004 Black Sticks Champions Trophy Team: Goalkeepers – Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington), Anita Wawatai (Manawatu). Fullbacks – Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour), Sheree Phillips (Manawatu), Diana Weavers (Canterbury). Halfbacks – Jo Galletly (Canterbury), Emily Naylor (Manawatu), Rachel Sutherland (Manawatu), Rachel Robertson (Canterbury). Inside forwards – Stacey Carr (Canterbury), Tara Drysdale (Manawatu), Meredith Orr (Auckland), Karlie Maloney (North Harbour). Strikers – Jessica Brewster (Auckland), Honor Dillon (Canterbury), Niniwa Roberts-Lang (Wellington), Kayla Sharland (Manawatu), Moira Senior (Manawatu).

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