Hockey New Zealand Names 2026 NZ Under 21 Squads
Hockey New Zealand has confirmed the 2026 New Zealand U21 Men’s and Women’s squads following the Junior Hockey League (JHL), marking the beginning of the 2026-27 programme cycle.
Selection into the NZ U21 squads recognises strong and consistent performance across the past 12 months, with the Junior Hockey League serving as a key opportunity to assessathletes in a nationally aligned high performance environment. For many players this represents their first step into the high performance pathway and a critical transition pointtoward future international hockey.
The 2026-27 NZ U21 programme is structured to feed directly into the Junior World Cup cycle, while maintaining strong alignment with the senior Vantage Black Sticks environment. Athletes named to the squads will engage in a programme designed to challenge performance standards, accelerate development, and prepare players for internationalcompetition.
The 2026 programme includes an extended squad camp in July, followed by the Junior World Cup Qualifier in October.
Hockey New Zealand congratulates all athletes selected into the 2026 NZ U21 Squads and looks forward to working closely with players, coaches, franchises, and associations as the programme progresses.
Regional High Performance & Pathways Lead Dane Lett touches upon the selection saying,
“Selection into the NZ Under 21 squads is a significant milestone and an exciting step in each athlete’s hockey journey. This is a period of opportunity, growth, and challenge, and we look forward to supporting this group as they continue to develop”.
The 2026 NZ U21 Men’s and Women’s squads are listed below.
2026 U21 Men’s Squad
Aiden Bax (Mavericks – Striker)
Angus Bannatyne (Tridents – Striker)
Baxter Mason (Alpiners – Striker)
Baxter Meder (Alpiners – Defender)
Ben James (Mavericks – Defender)
Ben Wigmore (Tridents – Midfield)
Caleb Yeates (Tridents – Midfield)
Connor Findlay (Falcons – Defender)
Dean Clarkson (Mavericks – Defender)
Edward Howlett (Mavericks – Midfield)
Fergus Oberlin-Brown (Alpiners – Midfield)
Finlay Neale (Alpiners – Striker)
Foy Kerkin (Falcons – Defender)
Fynn Harrington (Alpiners – Midfield)
Hamish Davenport (Falcons – Defender)
Harison Clulow (Falcons – Striker)
Harrison Stewart (Tridents – Defender)
Michael Lobb (Mavericks – GK)
Mitchell Suddaby (Alpiners – Striker)
Ollie Bowmar (Falcons – Midfield)
Owen Brown (Mavericks – Striker)
Quinn Harris (Mavericks – Striker)
Richard Ruetsch (Mavericks – GK)
Ryan Caldwell (Alpiners – Defender)
Scott Illerbrun (Tridents – Midfield)
Seth Irons (Tridents – Midfield)
Tanner Kusch (Tridents – Midfield)
Will Roberts (Falcons – Defender)
Yash Khushal (Tridents – Midfield)
Zach Gianotti (Falcons – GK)
2026 U21 Women’s Squad
Abby Reid (Alpiners – Defender)
Anna McLean (Mavericks – Striker)
Brooke Chandler (Tridents – Defender)
Brooke Comesky (Mavericks – Striker)
Caitlin Muir (Alpiners – Defender)
Cara Morrison (Alpiners – Midfield)
Charlie Wills (Tridents – Midfield)
Charlotte Dunn-Hall (Falcons – GK)
Clara Gardiner (Mavericks – Defender)
Emilie Gordon (Tridents – Defender)
Grace Aldridge (Mavericks – Midfield)
Greer Findlay (Falcons – Midfield)
Jada Ropitini (Falcons – Midfield)
Jaimie Cantwell (Alpiners – GK)
Jess Davenport (Falcons – Defender)
Jodie Kent (Falcons – Striker)
Julia Kersten (Alpiners – Striker)
Kate Irwin (Tridents – Defender)
Livvy Barker (Tridents – Striker)
Lucinda Christie (Alpiners – Striker)
Madison Cels (Tridents – GK)
Murphy Phillips (Tridents – Midfield)
Nicole Hollands (Mavericks – Midfield)
Nina Murphy (Alpiners – Midfield)
Penelope Taulafo (Falcons – Defender)
Pia Hohepa (Mavericks – Defender)
Poppy Webb (Tridents – Striker)
Roimata Brown (Mavericks – Striker)
Sophie Hodges (Mavericks – Defender)
Stella Mackay (Tridents – Midfield)
Tamsin Lockie (Tridents – Defender)
Victoria Alves Flood (Tridents – Striker)
*Note: Additional players may be added to the NZ U21 squads as the programme progresses.
Expressions of Interest are now open for coaching staff. For more information head here.