University of Tennessee Athletics
Wilkinson Named To NZ World Cup Roster
May 14, 2015 | Soccer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- On Wednesday, Tennessee's Hannah Wilkinson was named to the official roster of the New Zealand Women's National Team for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Wilkinson, who has made 68 caps and scored 22 goals for the Football Ferns, is one of 15 players who featured at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
"It's been a lengthy process which really started in 2013 when our funding and resources increased to enable us to consistently play the best teams in the world," New Zealand coach Tony Readings said.
"What we've seen over the time since then is regular games against the best teams, where players are frequently tested. During that process, we've blooded some new and younger players so it's been a really thorough selection process and we've had a chance to have a good look at players and we're really confident we've picked the best 23 players."
Before the Football Ferns open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Edmonton on June 6, Readings says the team will spend the majority of their time -- including their May 24 clash with Japan -- subtly refining their approach.
Tennessee will have three current or former players competing in the 2015 FIFA World Cup, which runs from June 6 to July 5 in Canada. UT alums Rhian Wilkinson and Marie-Eve Nault are on the Canadian National Team.
Group A match schedule
Football Ferns v Netherlands
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada
June 6, 9 p.m. ET
Football Ferns v Canada
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada
June 11, 9 p.m. ET
Football Ferns v China
Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg, Canada
June 15, 7:30 p.m. ET
