The Black Sticks women may be without a head coach leading into a busy international year, but insist they're getting on with the job

Graham Shaw stood down last week to return home to Ireland.

The New Zealand hockey sides are playing in a domestic north versus south tournament in Hamilton starting Thursday, and next month they're hosting Australia in a Trans-Tasman series.

The women then head to Europe for the World Cup in Spain and Netherlands in July, followed by the Commonwealth Games at the end of July.

Striker Olivia Shannon says assistant Shea McAleese's international experience will come in handy.