Otago's super six are ready for a big year.
Hockey New Zealand yesterday confirmed the two Junior Black Sticks squads had been confirmed for 2023.
It is a momentous time for the rising stars as they have world cup tournaments to look forward to at the end of the year.
The Junior Black Sticks men’s squad has a distinctly Otago flavour on the back of the emergence of another golden generation of talent in the South.
Otago players Ezekiel Buschl, James Nicolson (both 20), Benji Culhane, Daniel Torr and Patrick Ward (all 19) will be eager to book their spots at the junior world cup in Malaysia.
On the women’s side, Otago’s Annabelle Schneideman (19) is one of six South Island representatives preparing for their world cup in Australia in December.
Also selected is promising goalkeeper Pippa Croft, who technically has Northland after her name but who has been in Dunedin for a couple of years and is part of Otago hockey programmes.
The squads, finalised after the world cup qualifiers against Australia late last year, will soon gather for a combined camp with their senior counterparts.
"Following on from a successful 2022 programme, we are looking forward to having more international competition in 2023," Junior Black Sticks men’s coach Aaron Ford said.
"This will give the programme a clear focus with something to build towards as we look to develop future Black Sticks.
"The March camp will be a fantastic opportunity for our junior players to work along side the Black Sticks to get a real insight into what is required at the highest level."
Women’s coach Mitch Hayde said he was excited about preparing his squad for a world cup.
"It was a fantastic opportunity for 11 of the players in this squad to play against Australia in December and we look forward to exposing more of the players to international competition this year."
