Hockey Junior World Cup hangs in the balance

May 19, 2021

Hockey Junior World Cup hangs in the balance

Luke Holmes has been selected into the provisional squad of 26. Photo: supplied

New Zealand’s future Black Sticks stars are on tenterhooks watching the covid-19 crisis in India ahead of the Junior World Cup there in November.

The provisional under-21 men’s squad was selected for the event on Friday.

Coronavirus cases on the subcontinent have been soaring, with more 25 million in total.

Luke Holmes, who has been selected into the provisional squad of 26, says he doubts whether the tournament will take place.

“I definitely wouldn’t want to go over there because it’s very extreme. There’d have to be a lot different policies in place for us to go.”

Bryce Collins, athlete pathway manager at Hockey New Zealand, says it is a waiting game.

“The focus is on the Olympics at the moment and we will learn a bit more in the coming months.”

Holmes aims to represent the Black Sticks in the future and says the cancellation of the Junior World Cup would be a big blow.

He says the opportunity to verse and learn from the best players in the world is crucial for his development.

“International players are on a whole other level than New Zealand hockey [players]. Not having it definitely wouldn’t help my ambitions.”

However, Collins says they will continue to find opportunities for junior players to compete overseas.

“Even if the World Cup doesn’t go ahead, we will look elsewhere, and would like to organise something for our under-21 players.”

The squad will be reduced to just 18 players by October.

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