The women's Black Sticks are progressing down the road to Rio with the squad back in camp for the year.
It's a long way from Copacabana Beach but even during a team-building session in the sand, the team can't get away from the Olympics.
"You always know it's in the back of your mind in the Olympic cycle, throughout the four years," says Samantha Charlton. "But I think now that it's rolled over to 2016 and we're back in week one of training, it's in the back of your mind every session you do, you're thinking about it. Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, I think it's a bit of both."
While the players were pitted against each other for fun this time, come Rio the competition will get more serious when the squad is trimmed to only 16 spots.
"There's a lot of competition but at the same I think it's really great," says Charlton. "Everyone wants the team to do well. There's a really good vibe within the team that yeah, we're competing for spots, but at the same time it drives training, it drives people to be better. Even in the little games on the beach they do get really competitive."
"Things like this build the culture within the team," says Petrea Webster. "We need every member of our 25-man squad and it is really important that we push each other, so I think it is a really healthy competition amongst us."
After just missing out on a medal in London four years ago, the Black Sticks are aiming higher for Rio.
A second-place finish at last month's World League -- their best ever finish at an international tournament -- has given the team both confidence and belief.
"People say that you need to be in finals first of all and then [learn] how to win them," Webster says. "So we've done that, and the next time we get to a final we can take that podium place, we can get that gold medal."
With the competition within the team already fierce, the Black Sticks are definitely on track.
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