Simon Child leads bunch of New Zealanders to Hockey India League Players’ Auction

Simon Child, a member of the FIH World All Star team in 2009 and is on the road to becoming the most capped New Zealand hockey international, is among the nine stars from that country who will feature in next month’s Hockey India League Players’ Auction that will herald the onset of the prestigious Hockey India League in January next year.

With 93 goals from more than 170 matches, the 24-year-old Child has etched his mark as one of the world’s premier strikers with his unbelievable skills. Having started as a teenager, he has been a key member of New Zealand team in 2006 World Cup in Germany, 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and 2012 Games in London.

“Hockey India League is delighted that hockey fans in the country will get to watch exciting New Zealand players,” said Hockey India Secretary-General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra. “I am confident that the New Zealanders will join Australians, Pakistanis and European stars and share the stage with Indians in offering the fans a memorable experience.”

One of the Black Sticks most experienced and world- class striker and mid-fielder with 286 caps, Phillip Burrows is among the players from New Zealand who have signed up for the HIL Players’ Auction. He was New Zealand captain in more than 50 internationals and has played the last three Olympic Games and was the top field goal-scorer at the Athens Olympics.

New Zealand’s trustworthy defender and skipper Dean Couzins (260 caps which includes three FIH World Cup competitions, three Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games and three FIH Champions Trophy events), goalkeeper Hamish McGregor, midfielder Shea Mcaleese (167 caps), Steven Edwards who is recognised as one of the world’s best centre halves and striker of the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi bronze medal winning team, Hugo Inglis are among the best known Black Sticks players who can feature in HIL.

Besides, forward Nicholas Wilson, who has scored 49 goals in 118 internationals and was named in the FIH World All Star team in 2010 and 2011 besides being nominated for Junior World Player of the Year those years and defender Andy Hayward (137 caps and 49 goals) are among the prominent New Zealand players who have signed up for the HIL Players’ Auction.

In its inaugural year, the six-team Hockey India League is scheduled to be held from January 5 to February 3, 2013. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has left a clear window for HIL to be organised and will assist in the technical conduct of the prestigious tournament that come to may occupy a pivotal place in the international calendar from 2013.