The South African Hockey Association on Tuesday announced the Spar South African women’s hockey squad to participate in the 2006 Samsung Hockey World Cup, which takes place in Madrid, Spain, from September 27 to October 8 2006.
After the recent successful Spar Challenge series against the touring Indian team and the Spar Interprovincial tournament, the national selectors finalised the squad to represent South Africa at the 11th Women’s World Cup.
Marsha Marescia, who has represented her country 108 times in international matches, takes over the captain’s armband from the recently retired Lindsey Carlisle.
Whilst leading her young team at the tournament, Marsha will be able to rely on the experience of other senior players such as Caroline Jack, Kate Hector and Jen Wilson.
Marescia said her main focus will be to develop a good relationship with coach Jenny King and to be a captain that her players can trust.
The national selectors have also brought in the exciting young striker Dirkie Chamberlain, who will add more punch up front and will earn her first cap during the tournament.
”I think it’s important to have young players coming in. [The team] might be young in age but not necessarily in experience,” said Marescia.
The squad will meet at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria from September 3 to 8 for a final training camp before their departure on September 14 for Barcelona, Spain, where they will participate in training matches against their Australian counterparts prior to the World Cup.
Squad:
Tarryn Bright, Cindy Brown, Dirkie Chamberlain, Fiona Butler, Henna du Buisson, Lesle Ann George, Kate Hector, Taryn Hosking, Kim Hubach, Caroline Jack, Lenise Marais, Marsha Marescia (captain), Tsoanelo Pholo, Mariette Rix, Shelley Russell, Kathleen Taylor, Sharne Wehmeyer, Jen Wilson.