Culhane's surprise news after a day hunting
Nineteen-year-old Southlander Benji Culhane has been selected in the New Zealand men's hockey team.
Benji Culhane emerged from the bush and into cell service on Wednesday to find his phone light up with some missed calls.
He’d been hunting with dad Simon, oblivious to the fact he had some special news waiting for him.
The 19-year-old Southlander had been selected in the Black Sticks men’s hockey team and officials were keen to get a hold of him to let him know.
Culhane admits it was a surprise.
The goal was to make the senior Blacks Sticks team at some stage in the future, he just wasn’t sure that it would come as quick as it has.
“We had a camp last week and it was pretty competitive for spots. They let us know that we were in the junior group, but everyone was being looked at for selection.
“I was in the junior group aiming to get picked for that at the end of the year. It’s an awesome surprise.”
Culhane is now bracing himself for showdowns with Australia and Great Britain in Christchurch from April 22 to April 30.
“I don’t think it really has sunk in, I’m starting to get a few messages and starting to think about it,” he said.
“There’s definitely a few nerves thinking about the possibilities, but I’m more excited.”
Culhane’s hockey journey started at primary school in Invercargill and he comes from strong pedigree with his mum Tania and father Simon both successful sportspeople across different sports.
Simon is a former All Black first five-eighth.
“I’m trying to forge my own path in a different sport,” Culhane junior said.
His parents weren’t hockey players, it was actually his grandmother who gave him a hockey stick when he was young. It was that which sparked his journey to Black Sticks selection.
Up until last year Culhane was also having a decent crack at cricket, playing for the likes of Otago A and the Southland Hawke Cup team.
Although his selection in the New Zealand junior hockey team pointed him towards pursuing hockey.
For the record him and his dad’s hunting trip was also a success, they returned with a couple of deer. Wednesday was a good day all-round for the Culhane family.