A Successful Development Tour in China for New Zealand A Women’s Team

The New Zealand A Women’s team has returned from Jiangsu Province, China, following their campaign at the 2025 West Taihu Lake Invitational. The tournament provided a valuable development opportunity, enabling athletes to gain experience against strong opposition and continue their progression within the national pathway.

Across five matches, the team faced a mix of Chinese provincial sides and Korea A, delivering a series of spirited performances and showcasing the growing depth of our national programmes.

After a narrow 0–1 loss in their opening match against Liaoning, the team bounced back with a dramatic shootout victory over Bela Pantera, following a 1–1 draw in regulation time. Jamie Eades opened the scoring for New Zealand, while goalkeeper Kirsty Nation held firm in the shootout, making five crucial saves.

The NZA’s third outing saw them go head-to-head with a strong Korean side, going down 2–3 in a hard-fought contest. Goals came from Millie Calder and Tessa Reid. A tough match against hosts Jiangsu followed, ending in a 0–3 result. However, the team regrouped for their final match and delivered their strongest performance of the tournament—a 3–0 victory over Jiangsu—highlighting the progress made throughout the tour.

Coach Danielle Cranston, supported by Women’s Vantage Black Sticks Head Coach Phil Burrows, guided the group through a demanding schedule designed to expose players to international standards of play. The coaching duo brought a strong technical focus, reinforcing key tactical principles aligned with the national programme.

Striker Jessie Anderson reflected on the significance of the tour adding, "It was a real privilege for our NZA team to be invited to take part in the recent international invitational tournament in China. Opportunities like this are invaluable for our players to gain exposure at a global level, test themselves against high-calibre opposition, and grow as a team. Having Phil Burrows join the coaching team alongside Danielle brought a wealth of knowledge and insight. Their combined expertise gave our team the chance to learn the ‘Black Sticks way’ of playing and enhancing our tactical awareness, decision-making under pressure, and overall understanding of what’s needed for the next level. We had such a fun and engaging group of girls, making it an all-round unforgettable experience.”