Canterbury women selected for N.Z. hockey team

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32637, 19 June 1971, Page 14

Canterbury women selected for N.Z. hockey team

The strength of women’s hockey in Canterbury has declined somewhat in the last few years and the fact that only two players from the province have been chosen for the New Zealand team to compete in the international tournament at Auckland in August illustrates this. Although It performed better than expected at the national tournament at Palmerston North last month, only one member of the team, Mrs A. McKenna, was chosen after the final trials at Wellington at Queen’s Birthday week-end. The other Canterbury player in the team, Mrs P. Barwick, only recently moved to the district and she played for Hawke’s

Bay at the national tournament Mrs Barwick, however, has the added distinction of being named captain of the New Zealand team for the international tournament. Mrs Barwick was a final trialist . for the New Zealand team which toured Europe in 1967 but was not chosen for the touring side. However, her four years with the talented and dedi-

cated Hawke’s Bay team have obviously prepared her well for the task of leading New Zealand. This season was the first time in five years she had not been in the winning K Cup team. Mrs McKenna (nee Colville), has represented Canterbury on numerous occasions since 1962. Last season, however, she was in Canada and only returned

prior to the beginning of the present season. With the exception of a season in Canada, she has played all her hockey in Christchurch and represent ted Canterbury in 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969 and this season. In addition, she toured Australia with the New Zealand Universities* team in 1965 and was a member of the New Zealand team which competed in the international tournament at Cologne, West Germany, in 1967. Mrs McKenna is"'* half but her versatility enables her to play equally well in any part of a half-line. She will probably be the lefthalf in the New Zealand team. She is a double New Zealand women’s representative, having played for the New Zealand cricket team in 1969. Both players will join the team later to prepare for the tournament under the manager-coach, Mrs M. Crossen, also Of. Christchurch. ■ - • ’