Friday 17 May

England	(1)	2	-	1	(1)	Germany
Lily Owsley - 24 39 PC F						Hannah Gablac - 6 F

Saturday 18 May

England	(1)	2	-	5	(2)	Germany
Eliza Brett - 43 F Pia Lhotak - 29 OG						Rebecca Grote - 21 F Hannah Gablac - 26 F Hanna Schniewind - 36 51 F F Sarah Sprink - 47 PC

Sunday 19 May

England	(0)	1	-	3	(3)	Germany
Emily Defroand - 63 F						Hannah Gablac - 12 F Julia Dudorov - 24 F Sabine Knupfer - 31 F

After an early goal in the first match from Germany's Hannah Gablac, our own team came back strong with a double from Lily Owsley, leaving them 2-1 up after the first day.

Not to be left on the back foot, Germany sprung back into action on the Saturday, with another goal from Hannah Gablac shortly after Rebecca Grote started off the scoring in the 21st minute. An own goal gave England some respite going into half time, but Germany struck on in full force with another three goals before the final whistle was blown, with the final score at 2-5 after Eliza Brett scored England another goal from open play.

On the last day Germany continued their strong work with three goals before the half-time whistle went, with England replying once in the second half leaving the final score 1-3.

Below are some reflections from England's Under 21 Women's Head Coach Craig Keegan:

“This camp concluded the assessment phase of our program. It also coincided with us hosting the German U21 team for a 3 match series. Due to unavailability through University and A level exams we had a somewhat inexperienced group that included a number of new players to U21 level plus an additional four from the U18 squad. This for me was very encouraging - being able to introduce this number of new players to top level European opposition will assist to broaden the squad numbers moving forward.

I was pleased to be able to introduce a number of new concepts during this camp, with a definite focus on scoring attitude and individual defending. With one win and two close losses it was good to see this young group of players were able to cope, and win against Germany. We now take a short break for exams before we return to play games against the Welsh seniors, The Netherlands, Germany again and Belgium. These games will help develop the team ready for our final preparation phase for the Junior World Cup at the end of July.”

Full Squad List
Stephanie Addison
Grace Balsdon
Abbie Brant
Eliza Brett
Olivia Chilton
Louise Corkill
Sophie Crosley
Emily Defroand
Heidi Devey
Lily Elliot
Kate Holmes
Lucy Hyams
Josie Inverdale
Caitlin Jeffries
Hannah Martin
Jen Mashford
Laura Myers
Lily Owsley
Olivia Paige
Suzy Petty
Josie Rixon
Alice Sharp
Amy Tennant
Fran Tew
Anna Toman
Rebekah Walker

Last year’s champions Reading will begin the defence of their title with a home game against Canterbury in the Investec Women’s Premier Division on Saturday 14 September.  The last time the two sides met was in the Investec Women’s semi final in April which Reading won 5-1 before defeating Leicester in the final. Following their promotion into the Investec Premier Division, newcomers Beeston start off with a Midlands derby against Sutton Coldfield. Carrying on the derby theme, there is another local match up between Leicester and University of Birmingham. With a fifth Midlands team, Olton & West Warwicks retaining their top league status there are a number of Midlands derbies to contest throughout the season.

With the champions for the last two seasons, Beeston, promoted from Investec Women’s Conference North their two nearest rivals in 2012-13, Loughborough Students and Durham University, will see their opening day encounter as a key pointer to see how their season may pan out. Kendal, the North League qualifier from 2012-13, open their campaign with a trip to Whitley Bay & Tynemouth, while newcomers from the Midlands League, Boots, travel to Doncaster.

After agonisingly missing out on promotion last season, Investec Conference West champions Buckingham will be looking for their fourth consecutive title as they bid to gain top flight status. They open their season with a home game against Bristol Firebrands.  Exe, who return to the league after a season’s absence, will travel up the M5 to take on Gloucester City.

Investec Conference East champions, Harleston Magpies, travel to St Albans who were in the title mix for most of last season. Newcomers, Holcombe (East) and East Grinstead (South), start their campaigns at home with matches against Wimbledon and Chelmsford respectively.

Download the fixtures as a pdf file here

The sponsorship of the league by NOW: Pensions means that prize money will be on offer for the best teams and athletes.  The winners and runners-up of each of the four divisions, as well as third place in the Premier Division and each division’s Player of the Season and top goal scorer will collect the rewards at the end of the season.

In the NOW: Pensions Premier Division, champions Beeston have an intriguing opening day game at newly promoted Wimbledon. The other newcomers, Sheffield Hallam face a long trip to East Grinstead. Two of last season’s top four, Reading and Canterbury will meet at Sonning Lane, while last season’s runners up, Surbiton have a local derby with Hampstead & Westminster.

In NOW: Pensions Conference North, Bowdon, who finished as runners-up to promoted Sheffield Hallam last season, travel to Belper. Newcomers West Bridgford renew Midlands League rivalries with Khalsa and North League champions Deeside Ramblers, who return after a season’s absence, host Leek.

In NOW: Pensions Conference West, Cardiff & UWIC will look to put behind them the disappointment of failing to secure promotion to the top flight after winning the division last season; they open the new campaign at Cheltenham, who finished eighth. Meanwhile Cardiff’s two nearest rivals last season Exeter University and Guildford meet up on week one. Isca, who return to national league status after a thirteen year absence travel to Birmingham University.

In NOW: Pensions Conference East, 2013 runners-up Holcombe open 2013-2014 with a home tie against Cambridge City who retained their status after winning the Relegation Play-offs. East League champions St Albans return to the league after two season’s absence and start with a visit from Oxted. Brighton & Hove who won the South League head to Old Loughtonians.

Downolad the fixtures as a pdf file here 

• A mentor to support them in their development
• A CPD bursary of £80 to support them in their coaching development, travelling and other expenses.
  
• A timetable of closed Continuous Professional Development opportunities and courses specifically for young coaches on the programme.
• Their own coach development action plan with support
  

Speaking at the Universiade hockey officials seminar held in Kazan this month, Steve gave local officials an update on the role of technical officials at international hockey events in order to prepare them for the main event. As the Hockey Competitions Manager when hockey debuted in the 1991 World University Games in Sheffield, Steve is well placed to share his knowledge with the seminar’s attendees. English technical officials are held in high regard across Europe, and many have been appointed by the EHF and FIH this season.

"I attended the previous hockey tournament at the 1991 Summer Universiade, and it is wonderful to see our sport included in the programme again. Although we understand well enough that not every host city seeks to include hockey in the Universiade programme as not every city has facilities fit to host major hockey events, it's great that hockey is back for 2013. I hope to see hockey included at the Summer Universiade again in future years."
Steve Catton

For more information, please contact Richard Glynne-Jones
Tel: 01628 897500 / 07736 722324