Taranaki player selected in Black Sticks

Will Johnston

Photo: Planet Hockey

There’s another Taranaki athlete going to the Olympics.

Hope Ralph was selected in the 16-strong Black Sticks women’s hockey squad for the Tokyo event in July.

The 21-year-old made the Olympic training squad in December, alongside fellow Taranaki players Anna Crowley and Holly Pearson.

The squad was reduced and while Ralph made the cut to add to her 11 caps, Crowley and Pearson were named as team reserves.

Ralph’s mum, Karla, said the family were able to celebrate the achievement at the team naming in Auckland on Thursday.

“We are so very proud of Hope’s hardwork over the last few years. It’s an exciting time in the Ralph household,” she said. 

Adding to Taranaki’s success, Saffy Cribb made the New Zealand U21 team. The quartet attended Sacred Heart Girls’ College together.

Hockey Taranaki executive officer Denise Hill said the hockey community is proud of what the four have achieved nationally.

“And are especially excited for the opportunity that Hope has worked so hard for to be selected to represent New Zealand and Taranaki at the Olympic games,” she said.

“The local coaches, including her mother, who have supported her through her journey can watch her with pride as she performs in Tokyo.”

Women’s head coach Graham Shaw admitted it was one of the toughest teams to select with the lack of opportunities available.

He said the squad were only involved in four internationals across 15 months in ‘very unusual circumstances.’

Hope joins two other promising players Olivia Shannon and Katie Doar in the squad.

Shaw said the young trio have stood up in recent years and all have ‘huge futures in the black dress.’

New Zealand’s most capped women’s player Stacey Michelsen will captain the team with Samantha Charlton the vice-captain. Both will play in their third Olympic Games.

The Blacks Sticks will play a doubleheader against Australia in Perth on June 26 and 27.

Meanwhile, Taranaki swimmer Zac Reid qualified for the Olympics with his record-breaking time at the ASA Open Championships in December.

The New Zealand Olympic swimming team is yet to be named.