New Zealand duo Forgesson and Russell retire from hockey

Krystal Forgesson

Auckland, Sep 11 (IANS)

New Zealand midfielder Krystal Forgesson and goalkeeper Bianca Russell announced their retirement from international hockey on Thursday.

Coach Mark Hager said both the women players have helped New Zealand win critical games over many years and will be greatly missed by the team as preparation gets underway for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Krystal, aged 31, and Russell, 36, are both turning their focus to their full time jobs and are looking forward to exchanging a rigorous elite athlete training schedule for more time with family and friends.

Having debuted in 2005, Krystal's career has included the Melbourne, Delhi and Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Beijing and London Olympics and two World Cups in the Netherlands and Argentina. During that time, she accumulated 220 international test caps making her the fourth highest capped Black Stick and scored 77 goals making her the current all-time highest goal scorer alongside Katie Glynn.

"The Rio Olympics had always been in the back of my mind when making this decision - especially with it only being a year and a half away - but I just don't think I can keep giving it 100 percent," said Krystal.

Hager said the contribution that Krystal made to the success of the team and her presence will be greatly missed by the group.

"She is a great trainer, a leader on and off the field, a goal scorer, a hard-nosed player, a winner and most off all a friend to all. Krystal drove the culture within the team and provided a benchmark for the next group of players to aim for," said Hager.

Bianca's decision to retire didn't come easily, but she believes now is the right time to step aside and let the next generation of goalkeepers come through.

"I wish I didn't have to go, my heart still very much wants to play hockey but reality and my head say that it's time to walk away," said Russell.