International Hockey Federation : Ryan Archibald (NZL)

Country:          New Zealand
Date of Birth: 1 September 1980
Gender:            Male
Height:             184 cm
Weight:            72 kg
Position:          Midfielder

New Zealand captain Ryan Archibald is an outstanding playmaker in midfield who is known variously as 'Scratchy' or 'Eric'. He has been the mainstay of the Black Sticks engine room since debuting in 1997 against Malaysia.

The team fell just short of qualifying for Sydney 2000 and injury ruined his 2004 Athens campaign as he attempted to emulate his famous father, Jeff Archibald, who was part of the famous 1976 gold medal-winning team at the Montreal Olympics and is regarded as one of the best to ever play for New Zealand.

Born in Auckland, Archibald is a keen on water-skiing as well as reading and spending time with friends, especially girlfriend Kim Noakes who plays for the New Zealand women's hockey team.