Hockey New Zealand is pleased to announce the Vantage Black Sticks men’s squad for the upcoming Summer of Hockey series in Hamilton, marking the team’s return to home soil as they begin a critical build-up towards the 2026 FIH World Cup. The series will be held at the Gallagher Hockey Centre, which will now host an international series of four Test matches between New Zealand and Japan.
The Summer of Hockey also marks the first time the Vantage Black Sticks Men have played on home soil since the Oceania Cup in Whangārei in 2023 and follows on from a strong end to 2025, which included a bronze medal at the Sultan of Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia and a gold medal at the FIH Nations Cup, also in Malaysia. Fans can expect fast, physical and highly competitive hockey as the team takes significant steps forward in a World Cup year.
Captain Sam Lane says starting the new cycle at home is a huge boost for the group. “It’s exciting to start our very important 2026 World Cup year at home and play in front of our fans again. While we love traveling together as a team, nothing beats playing at home. We have an exciting squad, despite a few injuries, and having the experience and quality of players like Nic Woods and Kane Russell back in the group is a huge boost heading into a World Cup year.”
The selected squad for the Vantage Black Sticks Men’s Summer of Hockey is:
AIDAN SARIKAYA, BENJI CULHANE, BRAD READ, CHARLIE MORRISON, DANE LETT, DOM DIXON, DYLAN THOMAS, GEORGE BAKER, GUS NELSON, ISAAC HOULBROOKE, JAMES HICKSON, JOE MORRISON, JONTY ELMES, KANE RUSSELL, MALACHI BUSCHL, MATT RUETSCH, NIC WOODS, SAM LANE, SIMON YORSTON, TIM NEILD.
Hockey New Zealand looks forward to welcoming fans to Hamilton to support the Vantage Black Sticks Men as they take on Japan and launch an exciting year of international hockey on home turf.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE. (February 30-4, 2026 at the Gallagher Hockey Centre, Hamilton)
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