3 Dec 2010

Black Sticks women to take on top nations at Champions Trophy

3:22 pm on 3 December 2010

The New Zealand women's hockey team will be playing against the world's top nations at the Champions Trophy next year, following a decision from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to extend the tournament from six to eight teams.

The FIH approached the Dutch as the host country of the tournament, and with their agreement, the FIH has decided to extend next June's Champions Trophy to include the next two ranked teams, New Zealand and China.

Currently ranked seventh, the Black Sticks played in the Champions Trophy this year in Nottingham.

Previously, they had not competed in the Champions Trophy since 2006 and instead played in the lower ranked Champions Challenge tournament.

The teams competing will be Argentina, Netherlands, Germany, China, England, Australia, New Zealand and Korea.

The FIH has not confirmed the format of the men's Champions Trophy which is to be held in India with the date still to be confirmed.