England’s U-16 and U-18 squad to play Four-Nation Easter Hockey Tournament in Europe - Hockey Preview
England’s Under-16 and Under-18 Men’s and Women’s hockey teams are going to spend this weekend in Europe, to play a four-nation Easter Tournament against Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, from April 22-25, at two different venues.
The U-16 and U-18 Boy’s tournament will take place at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire, whereas, the U-16 and U-18 Girl’s tournament will be held in Valencia, Spain.
This will be the second international tour for England’s U-18 squad, after they defeated Scotland last weekend. Both the female and male junior squads returned undefeated in their two-test series, with the girls winning both the matches 3-0 and 3-2. The
boys team secured a 5-1 win and tied another match at 3-3.
These international tours will be a build-up for the English hockey juniors, who are set to compete in the upcoming European Championships in Utrecht, in July.
The four-nation tournament has vital importance for most junior U-16 squads, as they will be honoured to wear an England shirt for the first time ever. The event will be followed by the squad’s big encounter with their Scottish counterparts in May.
The Women Four Nations to be conducted in Valencia is one of the most famous tournaments, which is held at the European level. This year, the Valencia Hockey Body has agreed to allow the European Capital of Sport 2011, to host the tournament.
A presentation regarding the four-nation series was carried out in the Field Hockey Sports facilities, at the Municipal Verge del Carme-Betera. It was supported by Valencia’s Provincial Council under the presence of the city’s Councillor for Sports, Cristobal
Grau, Deputy Sports Valencia, Miguel Bailach and the Regional Secretary for Sport, Ms. Niurka Montalvo.
Delegates from the European Hockey Federation and the Royal Spanish Federation were also present at the venue. The city officials supporting the presentation were the ones who had convinced the Valencia’s Hockey Federation to organise the event.
Valencia has one of world’s best hockey fields, with the new blue colour turf introduced in modern hockey.
England’s U-18 Women squad includes Grace Balsdon, Georgia Byas, Charlotte Cox, Sophie Crosley, Isobel Davies, Emily Defroand, Elisa Filarmonico, Alice Freeman, Lucy Hyams, Joanna Leigh, Hannah Martin, Jessica Orrett, Sunny Ricketts, Amy Tennant, Anna Toman,
Elizabeth Totten, Rebecca Van Berkel and Rebecca Weston.
England’s U-16 Women team comprises of Amelia Andrew, Martha Baker, Emma Broad, Megan Crowson, Lowri Davies, Megan Edwards, Lily Elliott, Elin Galvin, Kathryn Lane, Ellen Lockhart, Amelia Milton, Isabel Murphy, Sophie Newton, Hannah, Annabel Sams, Fran Tew,
Rebekah Walker and Bethany Worrall.
England’s U-18 Men squad consists of Tom Batchelor, Will Burns, Adam Clark, Sam French, Jonny Gall, Harry Gibson, David Goodfield, Sam Hatherley, George Lilley, Oliver Lobo, Myles Locke, Ben Mackey, Tom Morris, Joe Sharp, James Spain, Sam Spencer and Luke
Taylor.
England’s U-16 Men squad features James Albery, Tom Alsop, Olly Ashdown, Ali Clift, Will Furlong, James Gall, Robbie Gleeson, Jonty Griffiths, Adam Harriman, Oliver Nail, Charlie Parker, Josh Parkinson, Peter Phillips, Chris Proctor, Matthew Richards, James
Simpson, Elliot Smith and Charlie Stubbings.
All the players of the England National Age Group hockey squads have gone through a tough time while reaching the national stage, after the winter training camps and trials. The 2010 trials and training camps had led to their selection in the squads. The
player’s performances in the 2010 Futures Cup were also part of the assessment for the national team selection.
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