David Ames and Hollie Pearne-Webb will continue to lead England men and women respectively, with Olympic berths on offer at this month’s EuroHockey Championships.
England Hockey have named 18 men and women players for the European showpiece in Monchengladbach, Germany from Aug 18-27 as they look to overturn the disappointment of finishing medalless at the last edition.
The England men’s squad, who are now the world No.3 side, have been drawn in Group A alongside Belgium, Spain and Austria.
England women will take on hosts Germany, Ireland and Scotland in Group B.
The EuroHockey Championships is the first opportunity for countries to qualify for a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The winners will go direct to next summer’s Olympics with a tough qualification the next hope in January.
England failed to medal across genders at the last edition. England men finished fourth at the 2021 EuroHockey and have twice won bronze in recent years. They last won the tournament in 2009.
England women have failed to reach the semi-finals in their last two editions. They won bronze in 2017 and lifted the title eight years ago.
Liam Ansell, David Condon, Stu Rushmere, Liam Sanford are the players missing from the men’s World Cup squad. After being named a reserve for the men’s World Cup, Brendan Creed returns to the squad for England’s Euro assault.
Conor Williamson, who signed for Surbiton this season after leaving Nottingham University, will make his debut tournament in Germany.
Men’s coach, Paul Revington, said: “We’ve had some really promising performances over the last 12 months and I want to see the team continue that form and momentum in Germany.
There are no bolters in the England women’s squad, one with plenty of tournament pedigree across World Cup, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
Women’s counterpart David Ralph said: “We’ve had some good early seasons tests which I believe has been good preparation for the level of competition we’ll face in Germany.
“We’ve got a good mix of youth and experience in the team who is full of talent but there’s no denying this is the biggest competition of the year, and we will focus on executing our plans and going one match at a time.”
Men’s team:
- James Albery
- David Ames
- Nick Bandurak
- Will Calnan
- Brendan Creed
- James Gall
- David Goodfield
- James Mazarelo
- Tim Nurse
- James Oates
- Nick Park
- Ollie Payne
- Phil Roper
- Tom Sorsby
- Zach Wallace
- Jack Waller
- Sam Ward
- Conor Williamson
Women’s team:
- Giselle Ansley
- Grace Balsdon
- Fiona Crackles
- Sophie Hamilton
- Tess Howard
- Sabbie Heesh
- Holly Hunt
- Alex Malzer
- Hannah Martin
- Lizzie Neal
- Lily Owsley
- Hollie Pearne-Webb
- Flora Peel
- Izzy Petter
- Ellie Rayer
- Laura Roper
- Amy Tennant
- Lily Walker
