NEW ZEALAND U21 PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Hockey New Zealand is proud to announce Jonty Elmes and Riana Pho as the 2025 U21 Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year, recognising two outstanding seasons that showcased their influence at Junior World Cup level and their growing impact within the Vantage Black Sticks environment.
Both athletes have been key figures in New Zealand’s U21 programmes while also establishing themselves on the senior international stage. Their performances throughout 2025 reflected consistency, leadership, and the ability to step up in big moments, qualities that underline their bright futures in the black shirt.
Jonty Elmes is named U21 Men’s Player of the Year following an exceptional Junior World Cup campaign where he finished the tournament with 11 goals, the second-highest tally overall, including three separate hat-tricks. His attacking threat, composure under pressure, and ability to influence games were central to New Zealand’s run to the quarter-finals and an eighth-place finish at the tournament. Elmes has also continued to grow at senior level, making his Vantage Black Sticks debut in 2024 against Canada at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and has now accumulated 20 international caps.
U21 Men’s Head Coach Mike Delany praised Elmes’ development and influence, saying, “Jonty has developed into a genuine international threat. His composure, leadership, and quality elevate those around him, and his performances across the Junior World Cup were nothing short of exceptional.”
Riana Pho is awarded U21 Women’s Player of the Year after a standout year that saw her lead with authority across multiple international environments. Pho captained the U21 Women at the Junior World Cup, where she consistently set standards through her work rate, professionalism, and presence on and off the field. Alongside her U21 commitments, she continued to build her senior career, having made her Black Sticks debut in 2023 against Great Britain in the FIH Pro League and now holding 23 international caps.
U21 Women’s Head Coach Verity Sharland highlighted Pho’s impact across the programme, “2025 was an exceptional year for Riana Pho, who consistently excelled across all levels of international hockey. Representing both the Black Sticks and Future Black Sticks programmes in multiple tournaments and tours, Riana demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, and diligence. Her unwavering drive to perform at her best is truly admirable and serves as an inspiration to those around her.”
While both players have already made strong starts to their international careers, Jonty Elmes and Riana Pho remain firmly in the early stages of their journeys. Their U21 Player of the Year awards recognise not only their performances in 2025, but the potential they continue to show as long-term contributors to the future of the Vantage Black Sticks.