Four Tauranga hockey players will represent New Zealand at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands, following announcement of the Black Sticks men's and women's teams for the competition.

Andy Hayward from Tauranga Boys' College is part of an unchanged line-up Black Sticks men's team at Malaysia's recent Champions Challenge. His team's opening World Cup clash is against Korea on June 2 at 3.30am (NZ time).

Andy Hayward from Tauranga Boys' College has made the Black Sticks men's team for the upcoming Hockey World Cup.

Meanwhile, Gemma Flynn from Tauranga Girls' College, Sam Charlton from Otumoetai College and Rose Keddell from Bethlehem College – named in the Black Sticks women's side – have already left NZ en-route to the competition.

Their World Cup opening game is against Belgium next Saturday May 31, at 11pm (NZ time).

Black Sticks Men's head coach Colin Batch says world cup is a huge tournament for his team. 'We want to do well and are all very excited.

'It's an important moment for the team and will give us a view for the next few years tracking towards the Rio Olympics in 2016.”

At the World Cup the Black Sticks men's team is joined in Pool B by hosts Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Argentina and South Africa.

Led by experienced veterans Dean Couzins and Phil Burrows, who have both played more than 300 tests for New Zealand, nine other Black Stick men's team players have eclipsed 100 tests, along with striker Simon Child who recently played his 200th game at 26.

Coach Batch says while the team contains plenty of experience, the synergy within the team still continues to build after every game.

'We now have some good experience as individuals, while as a team we are still learning a lot and have seen huge growth. We don't feel we've reached anywhere near our peak yet and can improve substantially over the next few weeks.”

Their opening clash against Korea on June 2 at 3.30am (NZ time), is live on SKY Sport 3.

Black Sticks Women's head coach Mark Hager says a strong mix of experience and young talent in his team to compete at the Hockey World Cup in The Hague.

The team of 18 contains three players with more than 200 test caps and four with more than 100 caps, alongside four 19 year olds, who will play at the May 31-June 15 World Cup tournament.

Inspirational captain Kayla Whitelock leads the side with support from other experienced players like Emily Naylor, Krystal Forgesson, Gemma Flynn and Anita Punt.

Coach Hager says competition for spots in the team was very strong and the selectors are pleased with the final team.

'It's a very versatile team. We believe we've got a good mix of youth and experience within the group and a team that can play various positions, so if we get injuries we can cover them pretty easily.

'We think we've got the right balance, all 18 girls deserve their spots and I know they are very excited.

The Black Sticks Women left NZ on May 18 en-route to Netherlands, where they've based themselves for a week of training before moving into The Hague four days before the tournament.

Their opening game is against Belgium on Saturday May 31, at 11pm (NZ time) is live on SKY Sport.

Black Sticks Men's 2014 World Cup Team

4 Nick HAIG Canterbury Midfielder

5 Andy HAYWARD Midlands Defender

6 Simon CHILD Auckland Striker

8 Dean COUZINS Auckland Defender

9 Blair HILTON Capital Striker

13 Marcus CHILD Auckland Striker

14 Jared PANCHIAAuckland Striker

16 Hamish McGREGOR Southern Goalkeeper

18 Phil BURROWS Capital Midfielder

19 Alex SHAW Capital Defender

20 Devon MANCHESTER Auckland Goalkeeper

21 Kane RUSSELL Southern Defender

22 Blair TARRANT Southern Defender

24 Arun PANCHIA Auckland Midfielder

25 Shea McALEESE CentralMidfielder

27 Stephen JENNESS Capital Striker

29 Hugo INGLIS Southern Striker

31 Steve EDWARDS North Harbour Midfielder

Travelling Reserve

23 Shay NEAL Northland Midfielder

Team Management

Head Coach: Colin Batch

Assistant Coach: Bryce Collins

Manager: Peter van Breugel

Black Sticks Women's 2014 World Cup Team

1 Kayla WHITELOCK CentralMidfielder

2 Emily NAYLOR CentralMidfielder/Defender

3 Krystal FORGESSON Auckland Striker

4 Olivia MERRY Canterbury Striker

5 Katie GLYNN Auckland Striker

6 Petrea WEBSTER North Harbour Striker/Midfielder 26 56

8 Sally RUTHERFORD Midlands Goalkeeper

13 Sam CHARLTON Midlands Defender/Midfielder

14 Michaela CURTIS Central Striker

16 Liz THOMPSON Auckland Defender

17 Sophie COCKS Canterbury Striker/Midfielder

19 Rhiannon DENNISON North Harbour Defender

22 Gemma FLYNNMidlands Midfielder/Striker

24 Rose KEDDELL Midlands Defender/Midfielder

27 Jordan GRANT Canterbury Defender/Striker

30 Bianca RUSSELL North Harbour Goalkeeper

31 Stacey MICHELSEN Northland Midfielder/Defender

32 Anita PUNT Capital Midfielder

Team Management

Head Coach: Mark Hager

Assistant Coach: Sean Dancer

Manager: Debbie Balme