Riverton woman back in Touch
Trisha Hopcroft is the only Southlander in the New Zealand women’s touch team.
In fact, it’s the fourth consecutive year she has made the cut.
Retaining a place in the team is important to her because the Kiwis are playing at the Touch World Cup in Malaysia on April 29 to May 4.
Members of the team were told of their selection late last year but Touch New Zealand delayed officially announcing the side until last week in case replacements were needed.
‘‘I’m really excited about playing at the world cup and seeing all the different playing styles,’’ the 21-year-old said.
‘‘My main focus now is working on my fitness. The temperatures will be high and I’ll need to be fit.’’
Australia and New Zealand are the top teams among the 28 countries represented in the women’s section.
New Zealand is in pool B with Singapore, Wales, France, Papua New Guineas, United States, Netherlands, Philippines and Malaysia. ‘‘The Aussies are world champions in all grades,’’ Hopcroft said.
‘‘She’s done very well and built her way up ... ’’ Scott Eade
Hopcroft, who hails from Riverton, is doing post graduate studies for performance analysis at the Otago Polytechnic.
Touch Southland development officer Scott Eade said he and other officials had watched Hopcroft develop from a player with potential to a New Zealand representative. ‘‘She’s done very well and built her way up from age group level.’’
Hopcroft’s mother Heather said support from Academy Southland advisers, Touch officials and others had helped her daughter achieve her goals.
‘‘We’re very proud of her ... she’s done well but has a good team around her.
‘‘They’ve given her skills and stuff that are required to get to the next level.’’
Heather and husband Wayne, of Riverton, will be among the New Zealanders in the crowd at the world cup.