Black Sticks great Merry retires
Black Sticks great Olivia Merry has called time on her exceptional career.
The 32-year-old prolific goal-scorer confirmed her retirement yesterday, 12 years after she scored two goals on debut against India in Napier.
Merry scored a whopping 128 goals and amassed 284 caps for the Black Sticks, tallies which would have grown in Paris had the Black Sticks not failed to qualify for this year’s Olympics, bringing her decision forward, she said.
“From the early days of training with some of my idols, to competing at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, I’ve poured my heart and soul into the black shirt.
“As with any journey there are always challenges and setbacks, but also amazing wins and highs, which I believe has moulded me into the person I am today.”
Merry was a feared weapon inside the circle throughout her career, and represented New Zealand at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. She was also part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold-medal-winning side.
She captained New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2022 World Cup, in which the Black Sticks’ fifth-placed finish equalled their best result at the global tournament.
Merry will retire as the fifth all-time leading goal-scorer in women’s hockey, and earned high praise from Black Sticks co-captain Megan Hul.
“To sum up Olivia in such few sentences is like trying to mark her in the five-yard zone … impossible,” Hull said.
“She is the epitome of what it means to be a Black Stick, and anyone who has had the privilege of playing with her, against her, or meeting her is better for it. She has given everything to the shirt and inspired us all to be better every day.
“All sports need great players and humans like Olivia and it’s been such an honour to share the turf with an absolute legend of our game.
“I know her family and friends could not be prouder and on behalf of the team I wish her all the very best for the exciting chapter that lies ahead.”