Holcombe players Dom Dixon, Brad Read and Trevor de Lora have been named in the respective New Zealand and South Africa squads for the upcoming FIH Nations Cup.
Dixon and Read have been selected by former Holc Greg Nicol in the Vantage Black Sticks squad which also includes Hayden Phillips, former Holcombe Men’s player and Women’s Assistant Coach.
New Zealand are hoping for their second consecutive gold medal at the Nations Cup having opted not to take their FIH Pro League place following last year’s triumph.
“This is a great opportunity to expose new talent to international tournament hockey,” said Nicol.
“Our focus is to keep building on last year’s performance, playing a bold style of hockey and continuing to grow as a group.”
de Lora, who was part of the South Africa team which won the Nations Cup in 2022, has been selected alongside vice-captain Samkelo Mvimbi.
Our new arrival will look to build on his 21 international caps in Kuala Lumpur as South Africa bid to improve on last year’s bronze medal and earn promotion to the FIH Pro League.
Drawn into Pool A alongside France, Korea, and Wales, South Africa will open their campaign against the Welsh – who have recently appointed former Holc David Ames to their coaching staff – on 15 June.
Pool fixtures will take place from Sunday, 15 to Wednesday, 18 June before semi-finals and ranking matches on Friday, 20 and Saturday, 21 June.
We wish Dom, Brad and Trevor all the best in Malaysia!
New Zealand fixtures [BST]
Sunday, 15 June 17:00 – Japan
Monday, 16 June 19:00 – Malaysia
Wednesday, 18 June 17:00 – Pakistan
Full New Zealand squad
Louis Beckert, Dom Dixon, Scott Cosslett, Benji Culhane, Charlie Morrison, Brad Read, Simon Yorston, Malachi Buschl, Sean Findlay, Gus Nelson, Hayden Phillips, Nic Woods, Finn Ward, George Baker, Scott Boyde, Jonty Elmes, Sam Hiha, Sam Lane
Travelling reserves
Dylan Thomas, Patrick Ward
South Africa fixtures [BST]
Sunday, 15 June 15:00 – Wales
Monday, 16 June 15:00 – France
Wednesday, 18 June 13:00 – Korea
Full South Africa squad
Dan Bell, Jaydon Brooker, Calvin Davis, Trevor de Lora, Matthew De Sousa, Andrew Hobson, Gowan Jones, Zenani Kraai, Estiaan Kriek, Peabo Lembethe, Carlon Mentoor, Sam Mvimbi, Sihle Ngubane, Jamie Seale, Reuben Sendzul, Marvin Simons, Jacques van Tonder, Angelo Walstroom
Images: Vantage Black Sticks, SA Hockey