England Hockey has named its men’s and women’s squads for the first block of matches at the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League matches in London, as home fans prepare for 12 days of world-class international hockey at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre from 13-28 June.
Returning to London for its seventh season, the FIH Hockey Pro League will bring together some of the world’s top international sides with England’s men and women both set for an exciting run of home fixtures in the capital.
Both squads go into the home leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League on the back of unbeaten winning performances at the World Cup Qualifiers.
The men’s squad combines international experience with emerging talent, with captain Zach Wallace leading a group that includes Sam Ward, Phil Roper and James Gall while Max Anderson and Michael Royden-Turner step up from the U21 programme.
Co-captains Flora Peel and Lily Walker lead an experienced women’s squad with Lily Owsley close to her 150 English cap, while Tess Howard and Alice Atkinson make their Pro League return in London and U21 players Molly Smith and Mia Moore join the senior squad for the first time.
Across the London leg, England’s men are scheduled to face Argentina, Australia, Pakistan and India, while the women will come up against Germany, Australia, Spain and Argentina, giving supporters the chance to watch back-to-back international hockey featuring both England teams on home soil.
England men’s head coach Zak Jones said: “The London stage of the Pro League will be very important in terms of our preparations for the World Cup as it provides us with a high density of competitive fixtures that allows us to get a good measure and feel for where we are as a squad and how we are tracking in our ability to deliver our game. It also allows us to try, tweak, test and cement certain aspects of our game as well as look at our best combinations in order to finalise our World Cup selection.”
England women’s head coach David Ralph said: “We always look forward to playing Pro League games at London, in front of our home support. We are very lucky that we get to play so many games at home against the best teams in the world in front a great crowd, and that is something that we always relish and get excited for. To see so many people come out to support us, and the sport of hockey, in our own country is exciting and hugely motivation for us, it’s not something we take for granted and we look forward to playing some many games in front of them this summer.”
Supporters can watch England’s men and women in action across the London stage at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, with tickets available now for all matchdays.
England men’s squad:
NAME CLUB
14 James Albery (VC) Old Georgians
53 Max Anderson University of Nottingham/Surbiton HC
23 Nick Bandurak Surbiton
4 Rohan Bhuhi Holcombe
31 Will Calnan Surbiton
9 Henry Croft Old Georgians
47 Ben Fox Wimbledon
26 James Gall Surbiton
19 David Goodfield Surbiton
33 Sam Hooper Wimbledon
16 James Mazarelo (GK) Old Georgians
18 Tim Nurse Surbiton
2 Nick Park Surbiton
20 Ollie Payne (GK) Amsterdam
15 Phil Roper Old Georgians
74 Mikey Royden-Turner Holcombe
17 Stuart Rushmere Surbiton
27 Liam Sanford Old Georgians
5 Tom Sorsby Den Bosch
46 Sam Taylor Holcombe
7 Zach Wallace (C) Bloemendaal
3 Jack Waller (VC) Pinoke
13 Sam Ward Old Georgians
30 Conor Williamson Surbiton
England women’s squad
NAME CLUB
39 Alice Atkinson University of Birmingham
31 Grace Balsdon East Grinstead
44 Lottie Bingham University of Birmingham
2 Darcy Bourne Surbiton
21 Fiona Crackles Wimbledon
18 Katie Curtis Surbiton
19 Olivia Hamilton Hampstead & Westminster
23 Sophie Hamilton Surbiton
25 Sabbie Heesh Surbiton
14 Tess Howard East Grinstead
11 Holly Hunt Hampstead & Westminster
8 Pippa Lock Wimbledon
3 Becky Manton Wimbledon
43 Mia Moore Loughborough University
22 Lizzie Neal Reading
26 Lily Owsley Banco Provincia
28 Flora Peel (C) Wimbledon
40 Miriam Pritchard (GK) Hampstead & Westminster
13 Ellie Rayer East Grinstead
46 Molly Smith Loughborough University
30 Martha Taylor Surbiton
10 Amy Thompson East Grinstead
6 Anna Toman Wimbledon
4 Lily Walker (C) East Grinstead