The Black Sticks women are without a head coach just months out from two pinnacle tournaments

Graham Shaw is returning home to Ireland, ending a three year tenure in charge of the national team.

The Black Sticks get their World Cup campaign underway at the start of July, followed by the Commonwealth Games at the end of July.

Being without a head coach isn't a major concern for Hockey New Zealand high performance general manager Darren Smith - with assistant coaches Shea McAleese , Verity Sharland and Bryce Collins leading the programme in the interim.