Great Britain have announced a travelling squad of 20 female players who will compete against USA and Argentina in the latest round of FIH Pro League fixtures.
Olympic gold medal winner Laura Unsworth is back from injury, while Scotland’s Amy Costello is set for her FIH Pro League debut after missing the first round of matches.
Goalkeeper Sabbie Heesh is called up, while young Alex Malzer is also selected for the first time. Alex is 18 years old, plays for the University of Nottingham and is the latest of our Great Britain Elite Development Programme athletes to make an FIH Pro League squad. If she plays in these games, she would be the first player born in the 2000s to play for Great Britain or England.
Full squad:
Giselle Ansley (Surbiton) (ENG)
Grace Balsdon (Canterbury) (ENG)
Nicki Cochrane (Beeston) (SCO)
Amy Costello (University of Birmingham) (SCO)
Emily Defroand (Surbiton) (ENG)
Sarah Evans (Surbiton) (ENG)
Sabbie Heesh (Surbiton) (ENG)
Tess Howard (Durham University) (ENG)
Jo Hunter (Surbiton) (ENG)
Sarah Jones (Holcombe) (WAL)
Alex Malzer (University of Nottingham) (ENG)
Hannah Martin (Surbiton) (ENG)
Lizzie Neal (Loughborough Students) (ENG)
Lily Owsley (University of Birmingham) (ENG)
Hollie Pearne-Webb (Surbiton) (ENG)
Suzy Petty (Wimbledon) (ENG)
Ellie Rayer (East Grinstead) (ENG)
Sarah Robertson (Hampstead & Westminster) (SCO)
Anna Toman (Wimbledon) (ENG)
Laura Unsworth (East Grinstead) (ENG)
Head Coach Mark Hager said, “We are looking forward to playing again after a three-week training phase, USA and Argentina will be a good challenge for the group and provides another opportunity to work on the team structures and concepts.
“It’s great to have Laura Unsworth back with the team, she missed our past three games due to injury, so we’re excited to have someone with Laura’s experience and leadership back involved, along with Amy Costello and Sabbie Heesh.
“Young midfielder Alex Malzer has shown good development in our EDP programme and has now been provided with this opportunity to further assist her in growing on the world stage.”
In the first game against USA, Lily Owsley is likely to win her 50th cap for Great Britain, while Hannah Martin would reach 50 combined caps if she plays in both fixtures. Hollie Pearne-Webb is unavailable for the USA match but will be part of the squad for the Argentina game.
Great Britain have two points from their first three FIHPL matches, having secured a shootout win against China in their last game.
Hager’s side face the USA on Sunday 31 March at 11pm UK time at Spooky Nook, Lancaster, live on BT Sport. The Americans currently have one point from their four matches, but only one of those games was at home, against the Netherlands. USA play Belgium two days before our match, and could be ahead of GB in the table by the time our game takes place.
Argentina have 16 points from their seven matches, and host Great Britain on Saturday 6 April at 10pm UK time, again live on BT Sport. They secured good wins in their last matches, beating New Zealand 3-0 before securing successive 1-0 victories over Australia and China, the latter of which they will also play again before hosting GB.
Great Britain’s home games in the FIH Pro League begin at the end of April, with both our women’s and men’s teams taking on the world’s best. Tickets start at just £5 for Under 18s and £15 for adults, supporters can click here to buy.
Courtesy of GB Hockey
