Youngest Black Stick says Dio experience will help on South African tour

Samantha Harrison.

Student Samantha Harrison of Diocesan School in Auckland says her experience captaining her victorious First XI Hockey team should stand her in great stead while she is in South Africa this month as the youngest member of the Black Sticks.

Ms Harrison, 18, was chosen as the Black Sticks’ 19th player for the Champions Challenge tournament being held in Cape Town from 11th to 18th October.

Her selection came one day before Diocesan School’s First XI were crowned this year’s national champions with a 2-0 win over St Margaret’s College in the Federation Cup final in Wellington.

The Diocesan First XI also hold the Auckland and Intercity titles and the School’s Second XI are national champions in their grade this year as well as being ranked an impressive sixth in the open grade.

“Playing for Diocesan with my peer group and captaining our team has given me really valuable experience at having to make mature decisions,” says Ms Harrison, who comes from Whangarei and boards at the all-girls, Anglican, independent school.

“Being in a leadership role as a captain should help me when I am touring with the older Black Sticks and have to follow others’ leadership.”

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager says as 19th player, Ms Harrison is scheduled to play only practice matches in Cape Town unless other players are injured, but the South African tour will assist in her development.

“I was completely surprised to be chosen for Cape Town. I am just really happy to have the experience of going away with the team,” says Ms Harrison, whose games with the Black Sticks against international sides China and Argentina have been in NZ.

The Champions Challenge is where the world’s seventh to 14th ranked teams compete against each other. The winner then gains direct entry into the Champions Trophy for which the world’s top six teams compete.

At school girl hockey level, Ms Harrison, who was named the Federation Cup’s most valuable player, is regarded as a stand out player.