The New Zealand women's hockey team are excited about playing in front of record crowds at the World Cup starting in London later this month.
Black Sticks captain Stacey Michelsen. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
A Black Sticks squad of 18 was named on Tuesday for the tournament, which starts in the English capital on July 21.
The event, where the Kiwi side will be one of 16 teams vying for the silverware, is expected to be the highest attended women's sports event ever held in the UK.
Despite the challenge that presents, New Zealand captain Stacey Michelsen said the team can't wait to play in front of so many people.
"It's fantastic on the world stage when you get to play overseas and in countries where hockey is really important, particularly for women it's so exciting.
"We know that it will be a little difficult at times, playing in front of big crowd, but it's also something we are looking forward to."
Black Sticks head coach Mark Hager has named a squad which includes just one change from the group who won a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
Auckland midfielder Lulu Tuilotolava will suit up for her first major tournament after making her debut during the Tri Nations tournament in Cromwell in May.
Otherwise the group is stacked with experience, with eight players holding more than 150 senior international caps, led by the trio of Michelsen (254), Anita McLaren (264) and Sam Charlton (219).
"It's a very versatile team and we believe there's a good mix of youth and experience within the group with talent across various positions," Hager said.
"We think we've got the right balance - all 18 players in the side deserve their spot and I know they are very excited.
"After winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games we probably go in with a bigger target on our backs but hopefully that fuels us to lift even further as a group."
The New Zealand squad first head for Germany, where they will be part of a Four Nations tournament.
Ranked fourth in the world, the Black Sticks will be joined by world No 1 side the Netherlands, third-ranked Argentina and the sixth-ranked hosts before heading to London.
Michelsen believed it was ideal preparation for the World Cup.
"That will be a fantastic build up tournament for us and will certainly let us know very quickly what we need to fix for the World Cup.
"Those are three [high] quality sides."
New Zealand open their campaign against world No 13 Belgium on July 23 (NZ time) and will also face 12th-ranked Japan and arch-rivals Australia, ranked fifth, in pool play.
The top team in all four groups of four qualifies directly for the quarterfinals, with the second and third-placed teams going into crossover matches for a place in the last eight.
The men's World Cup, also featuring New Zealand, takes place in November and December in India.
- RNZ
