Squads picked for Indoor World Cup

Indoor Hockey is about to take the next step in New Zealand. After an absence of almost 20 years on the international stage it is exciting to be sending teams to the World Cup again.

This year has been an incredible journey so far. Less then a year ago we reopened the expressions of interest, and months later we had a national tournament, followed by a squad for a Trans-Tasman series with Australia and now sending off teams to the World Cup.

It is the 6th edition of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams.

NZ women have qualified for the first time and will see their first match against Netherlands on 6 Feb 12.10am NZT. NZ Men will play defending champions Austria also on 6 Feb, at 6am NZT.

Men’s Lead Coach Reiner Vellinga says, “I have a lot of faith in the team we have named. The journey is one of a kind and the guys have shown amazing dedication and commitment to the program and the sport.

“Our Trans-Tasman series displayed a huge learning experience and there is still so much more we can get out of this group.”

Women’s Lead Coach Gaye Tarrant is excited about taking the team to the World Cup.

“I feel unbelievably privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead the New Zealand Women’s team to their first Indoor Hockey World Cup.

“As a player when Australia had its first World Cup experience, I know the feelings of both excitement and trepidation that the players will be feeling to take this next step.”

The full match schedule and the list of officials for the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2023 can be found here.

Womens Squad

Hannah              Cardno                         Auckland

Grace                  Gibson                           Hawke’s Bay

Oriwa                 Hepi                               Waikato

Rhiannon           Holdich                          Auckland

Georgia              Mayo                              Hawke’s Bay

Kat                      Moffitt                           North Harbour

Pippa                  Norman                         Manawatu

Beth                    Norman                         North Harbour

Kirsten                Pearce                            North Harbour

Deanna              Ritchie                            Auckland

Madeleine         Williamson                    North Harbour

Anna                   Willocks                         Canterbury

Mens Squad

Benedict           van Woerkom               Wellington

Daniel               van Woerkom               Wellington

Dave                 Green                           North Harbour

Matt                 Symonds                      North Harbour

Brennan           Alexander-Parker          North Harbour

Isaac                 Houlbrooke                  North Harbour

Dylan                Thomas                         Otago

Dean                Armstrong                    Waikato

Vance               Harvey                          Waikato

Brad                 Coxon                           Waikato

Stephen            Atkinson                       Waikato

Louis                Beckert                         Canterbury

Daniel               Scanlon *                      Waikato

*Travelling Reserve