England Hockey Announce Promising Junior World Cup Squad

An 18-strong squad of up and coming players have been named in the England Hockey squad travelling out to the Junior World Cup in Chile which takes place from 29 November – 10 December.

The tournament was last in Chile in 2016 and the England team won their first ever medal in the 2022 edition of the event which took place in South Africa.

Evie Wood (University of Birmingham), who starred in the 2022 team with some impressive saves to help secure the bronze medal, returns and co-captains the side. Beth Alexander (Loughborough Students) broke her hand in the first game in South Africa and has returned to the side and take on the co-captain.

The squad’s first match is against New Zealand on 30 November and they then take on the United States on 1 December.

Head Coach, Simon Letchford, said: “As a group of players and staff, we are looking forward to competing against the world’s best Under 21 sides in Santiago in a few weeks’ time.

“The selected group brings together nine players who won Bronze in the 2021 Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom, a number of younger players who have excelled in the England pathway and for their schools, clubs and universities and some with senior international experience.

“Led by co-captains Evie Wood and Beth Alexander it is exciting to see how they will progress into the Junior World Cup and beyond.”

Head of Talent Development, Heather Williams, said: “Congratulations to all the players selected and thank-you to the many coaches, parents, clubs, schools and universities who support the players on a daily basis. 

“Your support is invaluable to them having this opportunity to represent England at a Junior World Cup.  We are really looking forward to getting out to Santiago now and playing and competing with the best junior sides in the world. 

“It will be great experience for the players on and off the pitch and I’m sure Chile will once again host a superb tournament”

Squad

Name | Club

• Beth Alexander | Loughborough University
• Alice Atkinson | University of Birmingham
• Maddie Axford | University of Nottingham
• Tilly Butterworth | Repton Sch/Repton HC
• Katie Curtis | Surbiton HC
• Hollie Dring-Richardson | Loughborough University
• Sienna Dunn | University of Nottingham
• Georgie Gardens | University of Exeter/Isca HC
• Martha Le Huray | Surbiton HC
• Maddie Long | University of Nottingham
• Sofia Martin | Hampstead and Westminster HC
• Lizzy Pocknell | Durham University
• Molly Smith | Loughborough University
• Scarlett Spavin | Durham University
• Claudia Swain | University of Nottingham
• Martha Taylor | Surbiton
• Lily Walker | East Grinstead
• Evie Wood | University of Birmingham

Travelling Reserves        

• Lottie Bingham | Weald of Kent GS/Holcombe HC
• Emily Gilbert | Godolphin and Latymer Sch/Wimbledon HC

Support Staff

• Simon Letchford | Head Coach
• Brett Holland | Assistant Coach
• Leigh Maasdorp | Assistant Coach
• Tom Millington | Team Manager/GK Coach
• Charli Robertson | Physiotherapist
• Hannah Cureton | Performance Analyst
• Nicky Osborne | Doctor
• Heather Williams | Head of GB Talent Development