Wider training squad named for Men’s U19

Floorball New Zealand has today announced the wider training squad for the New Zealand Men’s Under-19 Floorball Team, marking the beginning of the next phase in the national team pathway.

Following a three-weekend development and trial series, the selected players will now enter a focused training environment as the programme builds towards final team selection to represent New Zealand in the Men’s U19 World Floorball Championships AOFC Qualification tournament.

Head Coach Ken Takizawa acknowledged the standard of players across the trial period and the challenge of selection.

“We’ve seen a strong group of athletes come through these weekends. There is clear potential, but also a clear understanding that this is just the start. Selection into this wider training squad is an opportunity, not an outcome.”

The announcement signals the transition from open trials into a more competitive, performance-driven phase. Players named in the wider training squad are expected to continue developing their technical ability, tactical understanding, and physical preparation ahead of the next selection milestone.

Below are the named athletes for the wider training squad:

Oliver Bargh

Tyler Bates

Fletcher Cosslett

Vinnie Coup

Will Fulton

Jamie Gwyn

Archie Hardie-Boys

Jake Henry

Edward Holben

Angus Hume

Aragon Ihaia

Prashant Kumar

Andrew Luckman

Jack Mahoney

Seth Millar

Toby Moar

Hyugo Preston

Henry Pritchard Glen

Caleb Rice

Shaun Robertson

Eli Scott

Connor Smith

Connor Sternagel-Silao

Hudson Todd

Liam Townsley

Liam Verschoor

Max Williams

Marcus Young

Floorball New Zealand emphasises that this is not the final team.

The wider training squad will continue to be assessed over the coming weeks, with the final tournament team to be confirmed in late May or early June. Selection remains open, and no player is guaranteed a place.

“Being named in this wider squad is the beginning of the real work,” said Takizawa. “There are no guarantees. What matters now is how each player continues to develop, takes feedback on board, and finds ways to improve every time they step on court.”

Players have been encouraged to remain grounded and committed to their individual development, rather than making assumptions about final selection.

For those not selected, the message remains clear: the development pathway continues.

“These weekends are only one part of a player’s floorball journey. There will be more opportunities ahead, and we encourage players to take what they’ve learned and keep pushing forward.”

The Men’s U19 programme continues to play a critical role in developing New Zealand’s emerging talent, providing athletes with exposure to high-performance environments and international pathways.