Waikato-based Collins is the only new player to the Ferns environment, although goalkeeper Erin Nayler is also uncapped at senior international level. The Claudelands Rovers striker is a former age-group international with a formidable record at local level.
“Helen has dominated the domestic scene for a few years now in the ASB Women’s League and regional competitions and she gets her opportunity to try and replicate that form at international level,” Readings said.
“She brings something a bit different into the attacking mix, she’s direct and physically imposing with great finishing abilities.”
Collins was leading scorer in the ASB Women’s League with ten goals in six games for WaiBOP as well as 45 goals for Claudelands in the northern regional league.
The 24-year-old played for New Zealand at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in Samoa in 2006 and was part of the squad that travelled to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Russia that year making two appearances off the bench.
Injury has ruled out incumbent custodian Jenny Bindon giving former cricket international and 16-cap Fern Rebecca Rolls and Junior Football Ferns number one Nayler an opportunity for time on the field at international level.
The Football Ferns have been drawn in a group with England, Italy and Scotland for the 2013 Cyprus Cup to be held from March 6 to 13 on the European island.
The Cyprus Cup is an annual global invitational tournament for national teams in women’s football. Held since 2008, New Zealand first attended in 2009 and have been invited every year since.
“We’re pleased to be attending again, the Cyprus Cup has become a big part of our annual preparation,” Readings said.
The Cyprus Cup is the first activity since High Performance Sport NZ congratulated the Football Ferns on their improved performance across the recently completed cycle and for their showing at the London Olympic Games with funding of $800,000 per year for 2013 and 2014.
The Football Ferns have played all three sides in previous campaigns. Three years ago New Zealand defeated Italy and Scotland 1-0 and 3-0 respectively at the 2010 Cyprus Cup. The Ferns lost to England 2-1 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany a year later.
More recently New Zealand lost 1-0 at the London Olympics against Great Britain – a squad which featured 16 English players and two Scots.
2013 Cyprus Cup
Group A: England, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland
Group B: Canada, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland
Group C: South Africa, Korea Republic, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland
Wednesday, March 6
New Zealand v Scotland
Nicosia, Cyprus
Kickoff: 2:30pm (1:30am Mar 7 NZT)
Friday, March 8
Italy v New Zealand
Larnaca, Cyprus
Kickoff: 2:30pm (1:30am Mar 9 NZT)
Monday, March 11
England v New Zealand
Nicosia, Cyprus
Kickoff: 2:30pm (1:30am Mar 12 NZT)
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share