England women will be aiming to return to the EuroHockey medals for the first time in eight years when their 2025 campaign gets underway next month.
Coach David Ralph has yet to secure a podium finish at a European Championships from two previous editions and will be vying for a strong performance after testing the waters throughout the Pro League and staving off relegation on the final weekend.
His 18-strong women’s squad features five debutants while Lily Owsley will be competing at her seventh Championships.
There will be no standalone captain for these Euros, a departure for an England women’s team. Lily Walker and Flora Peel will be co-captains, as they were at the Pro League in London and Germany.
Darcy Bourne returns to England colours, while Sophie Hamilton is back after injury. Players who featured in the Pro League but aren’t selected for the Euros include Holly Hunt, rising talent Lottie Bingham, Pippa Lock and Paige Gillott.
England face Scotland, Belgium and Spain in their group. Finishing top will likely mean avoiding defending champs the Netherlands in the semi-finals. England lost 7-0 to the Dutch two years ago.
Owsley said: “Playing in my first Euros was an honour, I never imagined I’d be heading into my seventh. This one feels especially exciting. There’s something about this group, and I’m genuinely optimistic about what we can achieve together.”
Meanwhile, Conor Williamson, Tim Nurse and Sam Ward return as co-captains of the men’s squad while five players could make their debuts.
The men’s squad, silver medallists in 2023 after a controversial final, play Poland in their opening fixture before taking on France and Germany.
There is no inclusion for players such as Rohan Bhuhi, Henry Croft, James Oates or Will Calnan. Goalkeeper Ollie Payne is still injured as James Mazarelo keeps the No.1 spot.
Coach Zak Jones said: “Competition for places has been fierce, and this selection has been extremely difficult. The fact that a number of high-quality players are understandably disappointed to be missing out just underlines the strength in depth and quality we have within the squad.”
Women’s Squad
#2 Darcy Bourne #4 Lily Walker #6 Anna Toman #13 Ellie Rayer #14 Tess Howard #16 Izzy Petter #18 Katie Curtis #19 Olivia Hamilton #21 Fiona Crackles 22 Lizzie Neal #23 Sophie Hamilton #24 Maddie Axford #25 Sabbie Heesh (GK) #26 Lily Owsley #28 Flora Peel #30 Martha Taylor #31 Grace Balsdon #40 Miriam Pritchard (GK)
Men’s Squad
2 Nick Park #3 Jack Waller #5 Tom Sorsby #7 Zach Wallace #8 Jacob Payton #13 Sam Ward #14 James Albery #15 Phil Roper #16 James Mazarelo (GK) #17 Stuart Rushmere #18 Tim Nurse #19 David Goodfield #26 James Gall #27 Liam Sanford #30 Conor Williamson #32 James Carleton (GK) #33 Sam Hooper #47 Ben Fox
