Novel way to reveal men’s and women’s squads for Tokyo Olympics

posted in: News, Recognition

Clubs and young players from all around the country have helped reveal New Zealand’s men’s and women’s squads to travel to the Tokyo Olympics.

New Zealand Football announced the Olympic squads on Friday June 25, using a round-the-country video montage of club players to name the players in a novel way.

The announcement was made by video streamed through social media, making it fun and with a strong connection with the grassroots of our sport.

A good example was how children at Cambridge FC revealed the inclusion of All White and Burnley star Chris Wood – he’s a former junior player at the Waikato club.

Wood will go to the Olympics as one of three overage players allowed by competition rules to play for the team which is an U-23 side.

Video announcement

Here’s how the squads were revealed:

OlyWhites

Goalkeepers: Michael Woud, Jamie Searle

Defenders: Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Callan Elliot, Dane Ingham, Nando Pijnaker, Winston Reid, George Stanger

Midfielders: Joe Bell, Clayton Lewis, Marko Stamenic, Gianni Stensness

Forwards: Joey Champness, Elijah Just, Callum McCowatt, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

Travelling reserves: Matthew Garbett, Ben Old, Alex Paulsen, Sam Sutton

Football Ferns

Goalkeepers: Erin Nayler, Anna Leat

Defenders: CJ Bott, Claudia Bunge, Abby Erceg, Anna Green, Meikayla Moore, Ali Riley

Midfielders: Katie Bowen, Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Betsy Hassett, Annalie Longo, Ria Percival, Emma Rolston

Forwards: Gabi Rennie, Paige Satchell, Hannah Wilkinson