Following 2 weeks of trials Coach Gavin Higgins announced the 23 man New Zealand team to compete in the Lacrosse World Championships in Manchester in July 2010. An additional 7 players were chosen for an extended practice squad.

The NZ squad played 3 games against visiting Melbourne team, Eltham, as part of the National Lacrosse tournament held at College Rifles over the Auckland Anniversary weekend. Eltham are the first club team to have visited New Zealand and they provided welcome opposition for the New Zealand squad.

Eltham were victorious in all 3 matches but the results were all close and the level of competition provided an opportunity for Coach Higgins to fully test his squad for the fist time.  “The level of talent on this year’s squad is sure to catch the eye of some of the traditional world powerhouses of lacrosse. This is an exciting time for New Zealand Lacrosse. Lacrosse is now well established in New Zealand and poised for significant growth."

Game 1: 11-9                          Game 2: 9-8                Game 3: 8-7

New Zealand Team Selection

Chris Monahan                      GoalKeeper                 Harbour Hawks

John Pritzlaff                          Defence                       Hampden-Sydney College

Alex Pritzlaff                           Defence                       Hampden-Sydney College

Yuin Khai Foong                       Defence                       Harbour Hawks

Tom Deane                            Defence                       Harbour Hawks

Alex Slooten                          Defence                       Harbour Hawks

Zane Smyth                           Defence                       Eastern Chiefz

Ben Gilmore                           Midfield                      Wildcats

Andrew Muir                          Midfield                      Harbour Hawks

Ashley Manisty Barnes          Midfield                      Eastern Chiefz

Aaron Graham                       Midfield                      Tamaki Titans

Nick Ravenhall                       Midfield                      Edinburgh City

Andrew Patterson                 Midfield                      Eastern Chiefz

Tobias Delamore                   Midfield                      New England College

Roderick John                        Midfield                      Eastern Chiefz

Mike Clayton                         Midfield                      Chapman University

Jake Griffiths                         Attack                        Harbour Hawks

James Irwin                          Attack                        Wildcats

Nick Low                               Attack/Goalkeeper     Harbour Hawks

Casey McLain                       Attack                         Harbour Hawks

Eric Messick                          Attack                         Pirates

Andrew Clayton                   Attack                         Chapman University  

Richard Clayton                   Attack /  Midfield       Oregan State University

Practice Squad

Joshua Harvey             Wildcats

Ben East                      Eastern Chiefz

John Brockelbank       Harbour Hawks

Adam Searancke         Pirates

Justin Mcnally             Harbour Hawks

Jack Riggins                Pirates

Nigel Tan                     Wildcats

For more information about New Zealand Lacrosse and the Mens National Squad contact David Zussman on 027 349 0461 or at annabelanddavid.zussman@xtra.co.nz