Bigger squad wanted

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33929, 23 August 1975, Page 16

Bigger squad wanted

t'N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. The New Zealand hockey coach, Mr Ross Gillespie, has called for a larger squad for the five-test series against the world champion, India, in October.

He was commenting on sponsorship details for the Indian tour announced jointly by the New Zealand l Hockey Association and Rothmans, Ltd. “The sponsorship gives us the leeway to assemble a squad of perhaps 18 or 19 players rather than the usual 14,” he said. “I’ll be asking my co-selectors’ reactions on enlarging the squad at the national tournament in Hamilton next week.”

Mr Gillespie said the September tour by Canada, followed by the visiting Indians, was the best preparation for New Zealand teambuilding for the Montreal Olympics in 1976. “Our Olympic squad will have to be named very early next year, and prospects of measuring our place against the world champion in a five-test series is an attractive one,” he said.

India was bringing 22 players to this country, and with the five tests so close together, he believed that New Zealand would need 18 or 19 players. The first test will be played in Auckland on October 18, and the second in Whangarei on October 19. Then there will be three tests in three days during the Labour Week-end — at Palmerston North on October 25, Wellington on October 26, and Christchurch on October 27.

The Indians will play 17 matches on tour, starting with a match against Otago, on October 4.