Hockey women’s squad named

Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) has named an 18-member national Under-21 women’s team that will represent the country in the Junior African Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, from March 18-28.

The tournament will also double up as a qualifier for the Junior World Cup set for Chile in December.

HAZ will unveil the final men’s squad next week after their trial camp at Arundel Hockey ground in Harare.

The men’s Hockey World Cup will be held in India.

HAZ vice-president Humphrey Chigwedere said they were going to pull all stops to ensure that preparations for the two events go without any hitches.

“We’ve unveiled the final ladies team and what’s only left is for us to unveil the men’s team. We’re currently looking into the preparations issue and are going to make sure that we raise the money needed by the team in Namibia as we’ve started pulling some strings,” said Chigwedere.

HAZ needs about $50,000 to send the two teams to Namibia for the 10-day event.

The winners and runners-up of the women Junior African Championships will automatically qualify for the World Cup and will join 14 other teams, six from Europe, three from Asia, two from Oceania and three from Pan America.

In the men’s tournament, the winners and runners-up of the Junior African Championships will join four teams from Asia, six from Europe, two from Oceania and three from Pan America.

Women’s squad

Lauren Dent, Androniki Hiripis, Stephanie Campbell (C), Michelle Kabaira, Simone Marchussen, Cheryl Dzapasi, Aimee Nativel, Kelly Diplock, Jessica Dollar, Stephanie Mauchaza, Erin Gray, Tinyayeishe Elijah, Tyler Groenewald, Mwegan Shaxon, Amber Hinze, Kaleigh Graham, Tyler Silk, Carla van Oudtshoorn

Non travelling reserves: Kendal Revolta, Hannah Snyder, Nicole Taffs