GB Youth Training Squad Announced

Great Britain Hockey has today announced the women’s youth training squad (Under 21 age group) in preparation for the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. The squad will take part in a series of training camps in October, November and December prior to competing in the Youth Olympic Festival from 14-18 January in Sydney, Australia. Included in the initial twenty athlete women’s squad is Scotland’s Laura Bartlett who was a member of the Great Britain senior team that finished sixth at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Talking about Bartlett’s selection Craig Parnham, Head Coach for the Women’s Programme said, “We have trimmed the training squad to 20 athletes who will participate in the next two training camps prior to the 16 being chosen to represent Great Britain at the 2009 Australian Youth Olympics. Included in the squad is Laura Bartlett who was not at the assessment as she was resting following her participation in the Beijing Olympics. Laura’s training ethic and commitment will be a good indicator to the younger members of the group as to what is needed to become a Senior International.” Speaking after announcing his slightly larger training squad, Bobby Crutchley, Head Coach for Men’s Programme said, “Following the GB Youth Assessment camp we have selected a group of 22, including five players who travelled to Sydney for the 2007 Australian Youth Olympic Festival. The squad are aware that their understanding of, and ability to implement, the Great Britain style of play will be key to making the final squad of 16.” At the previous Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January 2007 Great Britain’s women returned home with Gold medals after beating the hosts 4-2 in the final. Last time out, the GB Youth men took Silver after narrowly losing out to Australia 7-6 on penalty strokes in the final. After the November training camp at Bisham Abbey, the two squads will be trimmed to 16 athletes plus a further two reserves. As was the ruling at the Beijing Olympic Games, the reserves will travel to the tournament along with the final squads and may be used to replace players who withdraw from the squads due to injury.

GB Youth Women’s Programme 08-09
Date Event, Venue

10-12 October 2008                   Training Camp, Bisham Abbey
14-16 November 2008                Training Camp, Bisham Abbey
15-18 December 2008                Training Camp, Spain
1-19 January 2009                     Australian Olympic Youth Festival, Sydney

Youth Women’s Training Squad
Name                           Club and Home Nation
Laura Bartlett                 (Milne Craig Western & Scotland)
Sophie Bray                  (University of Birmingham & England)
Amy Gibson (GK)          (GHK & Scotland)
Susie Gilbert                 (University of Birmingham & England)
Takara Haines                (Trojans & England)
Jenny Hall                     (Canterbury & England)
Maddie Hinch (GK)        (Loughborough Students & England)
Gemma Ible (GK)           (Clifton & England)
Katie Long                    (Leicester & England)
Dilly Newton                  (Clifton & England)
Sarah Page                   (Millfield School & England)
Harriet Pearce               (Clifton & England)
Sophie Robinson          (Leicester & Wales)
Susie Townsend            (Canterbury & England)
Lauren Turner                (Leicester & England)
Georgie Twigg               (Cannock & England)
Laura Unsworth             (Loughborough Students & England)
Becky Ward                  (Dundee Wanderers & Scotland)
Hollie Webb                  (Cannock & England)
Nicky White                   (Loughborough Students & England)