With just under 40 days to go until the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) has named the two hockey squads set to represent Team GB this summer.
The women’s squad features a wealth of Olympic experience with four athletes from the Rio 2016 squad being selected for Paris. Laura Roper, who is one of GB Hockey’s most decorated players, has been selected for her fourth Games having made her debut in London 2012. While captain Hollie Pearne-Webb, Lily Owsley and Giselle Ansley have been selected for their third Games having previously enjoyed medal success in both Rio and Tokyo. Six of the squad are returning for their second games and six are making their debut including Tess Howard and Charlotte Watson, who scored key goals at the FIH Pro League in London this month.
The men’s squad features a promising mix of debutants and Olympians with captain David Ames and Sam Ward representing Team GB for the third time while Jacob Draper, Rupert Shipperley, Phil Roper, Ollie Payne, Jack Waller and Liam Sanford have been selected for their second Games.
There are seven men making their Olympic debut in the squad including Gareth Furlong and Conor Williamson who also made their GB debut at the FIH Pro League.
Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England MBE, commented: “It is always a special moment to be able to qualify athletes in team sports for an Olympic Games, and I am delighted to welcome the men’s and women’s hockey players to Team GB for Paris 2024. There is a fantastic wealth of experience across the two squads, along with some exciting Olympic debutants. This blend of experience will stand them in good stead this summer and I am confident that on their day they can match any team in the world.”
Men’s Head Coach Paul Revington said: “I’m incredibly proud to announce this group of athletes that will represent Team GB in Paris. This is the result of three years of effort, intensity, and real enjoyment together as a squad and we look forward to representing Great Britain on the biggest stage in our sport.
“The team that travels to Paris are only as strong as the squad around them and a reflection of the squad as a whole. Everyone has contributed unconditionally on our journey, adding immense value along the way and the selected athletes have the privilege of representing our Locker Room and their teammates at the Paris Olympic Games.
“This team is also supported by world class coaches and practitioners who have been a huge part of the squad’s journey to this point. I would like to acknowledge their significant contributions over the past three years before we start our final push towards the Olympic Games.”
Women’s Head Coach David Ralph said: “A huge congratulations to the players that have been selected to represent Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Whether this is your fourth Games or your first, being selected for an Olympics is an incredibly special moment which I know means a lot to all of our players.
“The GB women’s squad has a long history at the Olympic Games, and we now have the opportunity to create our own history. This is our moment and our chance to create memories for life.
“To the whole squad, I want to recognise their hard work and dedication that they’ve shown for the whole cycle. They have all played and will continue to play a really important role in terms of making sure the selected squad go into the Games in the best position possible.”
The Paris 2024 Olympic Hockey squad:
Men:
· James Albery –Hertford
· David Ames – Captain – Cookstown
· Will Calnan – first Games – Chobham
· Jacob Draper Grifiths Town – Pontypool
· Gareth Furlong –Cambridge
· David Goodfield –Telford
· Lee Morton – Glasgow
· Nick Park – Reading
· Ollie Payne (GK) –Torquay
· Phil Roper – Chester
· Liam Sanford – Wegberg Germany
· Rupert Shipperley – Cwmbran
· Zach Wallace – Caterham
· Jack Waller – Kingston
· Sam Ward – Leicester
· Conor Williamson – Esher
Reserves for the men’s team:
· James Mazarelo (GK) – Bowden
· Tim Nurse – first Games – Bournemouth
· Tom Sorsby – second Games – Sheffield
Women:
· Giselle Ansley – Kingsbridge
· Amy Costello – Edinburgh
· Fiona Crackles – Kirkby Lonsdale
· Hannah French – Ipswich
· Sophie Hamilton – Banbury
· Tess Howard – Cambridge
· Sarah Jones – Cardiff
· Lily Owsley – Bristol
· Hollie Pearne-Webb – Captain – Belper
· Flora Peel – Cheltenham
· Izzy Petter – Loughborough
· Miriam Pritchard (GK) – Oxford
· Sarah Robertson – second Games – Melrose
· Laura Roper – fourth Games – Sutton Coldfield
· Anna Toman – second Games – Derby
· Charlotte Watson – first Games – Dundee
Reserves for the women’s team:
· Grace Balsdon – Canterbury
· Jess Buchanan (GK) – Glasgow
· Lily Walker – Walsall
With thanks to Team GB
