England: England Set For Home FIH Hockey Pro League Showdown In London

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