New Zealand Announced Squad for Nations Cup 2025
Hockey New Zealand has announced the Men’s squad to compete at the 2025 FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15–21 June. This group returns to the tournament after a gold medal performance in 2024, with a fresh opportunity to build on that momentum and once again push for top honours in Malaysia.
Head Coach Greg Nicol has named a squad that blends international experience with exciting young talent, including three newcomers:
Louis Beckert, Gus Nelson, and Finn Ward.
Their inclusion reflects the depth and development coming through the New Zealand hockey pathway.
“This is a great opportunity to expose new talent to international tournament hockey,” said Nicol.
“Our focus is to keep building on last year’s performance, playing a fearless style of hockey and continuing to grow as a group.”
Dylan Thomas and Patrick Ward will also travel with the team as partners of the squad.
The last test match was during the Paris Olympics in August 2024. This tournament serves as an opportunity to represent New Zealand on a world stage again and to build hockey connections on the field in preparation for the Oceania Cup later this year.
Squad for Nations Cup 2025
Louis Beckert
Dom Dixon
Scott Cosslett
Benji Culhane
Charlie Morrison
Brad Read
Simon Yorston
Malachi Buschl
Sean Findlay
Gus Nelson
Hayden Phillips
Nic Woods
Finn Ward
George Baker
Scott Boyde
Jonty Elmes
Sam Hiha
Sam Lane
Dylan Thomas (TR)
- Patrick Ward (TR)
Match Schedule
Sunday 15 June – 10.00 PM NZT vs Japan
Tuesday 17 June – 12.00 AM NZT vs Malaysia
Wednesday 18 June – 10.00 PM NZT vs Pakistan
Friday 20 June – TBC – Semi Finals
Saturday 21 June – TBC – Finals
Importance
Promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League
By securing the Nations Cup title, New Zealand can secure a spot in the FIH Hockey Pro League, the premier international field hockey competition.
This promotion allows the team to compete against top-ranked nations, providing invaluable experience.
Competitive Experience
Competing in the Pro League offers New Zealand’s players regular matches against elite international teams.
This consistent high-level competition aids in player development, tactical refinement, and overall team performance, elevating New Zealand’s standing in the global hockey community.
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