The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) on Monday named men's and women's hockey squads for the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

Ryan Archibald, 27, who missed the 2004 Olympics when he failed a late fitness test on his fractured leg, will captain the men's Black Sticks side.

The NZOC trumpeted the experience of the men's side, noting in particular defenders Blair Hopping and Dean Couzins, who have played in 183 and 155 tests respectively.

Experience was also touted for the women's team, but the NZOC said the strength would be in how that experience blended with emerging young talent.

The women's team would be captained by influential defender Lizzy Igasan.

Men's squad: David Kosoof (North Harbour), Blair Hopping (North Harbour), Ben Collier (North Harbour), Steve Edwards (North Harbour), Ryan Archibald (Auckland), Simon Child (Auckland), Dean Couzins (Auckland), Paul Woolford (Auckland), James Nation (Auckland), Gareth Brooks (Auckland ), Casey Henwood (Midlands) , Kyle Pontifex (Wellington) , Phillip Burrows (Wellington) , Shea McAleese (Central) , Bradley Shaw (Canterbury), Hayden Shaw (Canterbury).

Women's squad: Jaimee Claxton (North Harbour), Lizzy Igasan (North Harbour), Krystal Forgesson (Auckland), Kim Noakes (Auckland) , Gemma Flynn (Midlands), Kayla Sharland (Central), Emily Naylor (Central), Caryn Paewai (Central), Tara Drysdale (Central), Anita Wawatai (Central), Beth Jurgeleit (Wellington), Niniwa Roberts (Wellington), Sheree Horvath (Wellington), Kate Saunders (Canterbury) , Stacey Carr (Canterbury), Jo Galletly (Canterbury).

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2008)