Lyn Schulz out of hockey trials

Press, 12 April 1978, Page 32

Lyn Schulz out of hockey trials

By

KEVIN TUTTY

I Lyn Schulz, a member of the New Zealand women’s hockey team that beat England at Wembley last year, (has withdrawn from the national trials at Queen’s Birthday week-end. i Missing the trials does not 'greatly upset Mrs Schulz, however. Her reason for withdrawing will provide more delight than being selected for New Zealand — she and her husband are expecting their first child in July. However the new arrival will not mean the end of her playing career, said Mrs Schulz. She is determined to force her way back into the New Zealand team to play in the international tournament in Canada next year. This year New Zealand will play two home tests against Canada in August and at the end of that month will leave for a tour of Australia, which includes two internationals. Besides the tour to Canada next year the lure of the Moscow Olympics in 1980 is strong for Mrs Schulz, but she realises she will have to concentrate on making the team next year. “If I don’t make the side for Canada I don’t think there is much chance of making it for M6scow. They will want to keep much the same team for both tournaments,” she said. Aged only 25, Mrs Schulz must have a good chance of playing her way back into the New Zealand team. She already has two tours to Great Britain behind her — the 1975 international tournament in Edinburgh and the tour last year.

She would still only be 27 at Moscow, and with next year’s world championship behind her, would be the type of experienced plater New Zealand needs to build its team around. Mrs Schulz first played for Canterbury in 1967. In

11,975 she intended to take a [rest from hockey for a year, but at the end of the 1974 national tournament was chosen in the trials from which the team for Edinburgh was selected. She made the team, and now,, three seasons later, has earned her rest. But she is quitting the playing field only — she is coaching a schoolgirls’ team this season.