England U21s Unable To Take Part In Junior Women's World Cup

England Hockey are sad to report that our U21 team are unable to take part in next month’s FIH Junior Women’s World Cup in South Africa.

The team was due to travel this coming Sunday, with the event scheduled for December 5-16 in Potchefstroom.

The host country has now been placed on the UK’s travel red list which carries with it significant government guidance and restrictions on travel, along with a period of hotel quarantine on arrival back in the UK.

Chief Executive Nick Pink said: “First and foremost, I am desperately disappointed for our young players and staff who have prepared so well for this event.

“They have been extremely diligent and professional and can be proud of the way they have approached every challenge presented to them. We informed them this morning and once again they conducted themselves exceptionally in very difficult circumstances. Of course the opportunity to take part in a World Cup is a huge honour so we fully understand how significant this news is to our young players.

“We understand and respect the government’s decision, and of course we would never take any risks with the health and wellbeing of our travelling group, so in that respect our hands were tied, unfortunately.”