Golden Boot Returns for World University Games

Golden Boot Returns for World University Games

Rebecca Tegg will return to defend her golden boot title at the 2007 World University Games in Thailand.

The Auckland University of Technology Sport and Recreation student has been named in a 20-strong New Zealand squad for the 24th Universiade in Bangkok on August 8-18.

Tegg scored six goals in as many matches at the 2005 Universiade in Izmir, Turkey, including a memorable hat-trick against the Czech Republic.

The Soccer2 (Auckland-Manukau) striker also won the National Women’s League golden boot for the second successive year after helping Soccer 2 beat Capital Soccer (Wellington) 3-1 in Saturday’s final at Mt Smart Stadium.

New Zealand’s squad for Bangkok, announced today by NZ Soccer and University Sport NZ, includes six other players from 2005 where NZ finished ninth of the 12 teams, winning four of its six matches.

Macky Singh’s side also includes 19-year-old Sarah Gregorius, a member of the successful NZ team that held Brazil scoreless at August’s FIFA U-20 World Championship in Russia.

Twelve of the squad have previously represented NZ Secondary Schools and 17 are currently competing in the national league.

The squad will be captained by Jennifer Kendall, an Aucklander graduating from Otago University in December 2006 and playing in the national league for SoccerSouth.

The 24th World University Games will be the second largest global multi-sports event after the Olympics with 9,000 competitors and officials expected to participate in the 17-sport programme, including FIFA-sanctioned 16 and 12 team men’s and women’s soccer tournaments respectively.

New Zealand Soccer high performance manager Ricki Herbert described the World University Games as a “fantastic opportunity for our potential national team players”.

“This is a truly global, FIFA-run tournament and that exposure can only be good for our game,” Herbert said.

New Zealand Soccer’s national senior women’s coach Allan Jones agreed the Universiade tournament was an “excellent opportunity for our women to experience almost full international football.”

“The university team now has a very strong sprinkling of players from the National Women’s league including several at the forefront of my mind for the 2007 World Cup in China and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“This experience, in what will be a very tough tournament, can only help them.”

For further information visit www.nzsoccer.com or www.universitysport.org.nz

New Zealand squad for 24th World University Games, Bangkok, August 8-18, 2007:

FIRST NAME / SURNAME / NWL 2006 / UNIVERSITY / HOME TOWN
Chelsea / Aim / Central / Massey PN / New Plymouth
Noran / Abaza / Mainland / Otago / Christchurch
Nancy / Campbell / SoccerSouth / Otago / Gisborne
Sally / Chetwin / Mainland / Canterbury / Christchurch
Alexandra / Hepburn / Mainland / Canterbury / Christchurch
Mariah / Meagher / SoccerSouth / Otago / Paraparaumu
Kimberley / Lewis / Force3 / Waikato / Hamilton
Lucy / Thompson / / Angelo State, USA / Hamilton
Jennifer / Kendall / SoccerSouth / Otago / Auckland
Kate / Trebilcock / Force3 / Waikato / Hamilton
Allena / Hill / / Massey PN / Wanganui
Grace / Vincent / NZ U18 / Auckland / Auckland
Nicole / Straford / NZ U18 / Waikato / Hamilton
Georgia / Goulding / Mainland / Lincoln / Rangiora
Ashlee / Delahunty / Capital / Victoria / Waikanae
Emma / Boyack / / Boise State, USA / Palmerston N
Rebecca / Tegg / Soccer2 / AUT / Auckland
Jaime / Hackett / SoccerSouth / Otago / Auckland
Sarah / Gregorius / Capital / AUT / Upper Hutt
Leanne / Tiffen / SoccerSouth / Otago / Paraparaumu

Macky / Singh / Head Coach
Helen / Quirke / Team Manager
TBA / / Assistant Coach

ENDS

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