Eighteen athletes have been selected for the England women’s squad to play Ireland in Dublin over Easter weekend.  The squad, for which athletes from newly-crowned Slazenger EHL Premier Division champions Bowdon Hightown were not considered due to their participation in the EuroHockey Cup Winners Cup, will play two fixtures at University College Dublin.

Included in the squad is 18-year-old Charlotte Craddock who will make her senior England debut in Dublin.  Craddock broke onto the international scene in late 2007 during Great Britain’s preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and has 21 Great Britain caps, six of which came at the Olympic Games.

With England preparing for the Samsung Champions Trophy in Sydney in July, Assistant Coach Karen Brown explained the selection: “The squad is a good mix of experienced Olympians together with young athletes starting their senior international careers.  We see this trip as a good opportunity for players to stake a claim to participate in the Champions Trophy and European Championships later on this year”.

The match schedule is still to be finalized.  Fixtures will take place between Thursday 9 and Sunday 12 April and will be played at University College Dublin.

The squad is as follows: Ashleigh Ball, Charlotte Craddock, Alex Danson, Gemma Darrington, Becky Duggan (GK), Susie Gilbert, Beckie Herbert, Katie Long, Sarah Page, Anne Panter, Helen Richardson, Chloe Rogers, Natalie Seymour, Beth Storry (GK), Chloe Strong, Laura Unsworth, Kate Walsh, Kerry Williams.

Source: England Hockey