Danny Kerry’s gold medal-winning hockey side is to be supplemented with a plethora of new blood as 15 new faces were named in the 33-woman squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games cycle.
Twelve of the 19 who tasted Rio 2016 Olympic Games success are part of the squad, joined by 15 who are in the central programme for the first time, with England’s first fixture against Netherlands in June.
But following their retirements from the sport, both Kate Richardson-Walsh and 2012 Olympian Emily Maguire will not be part of the cycle, while Crista Cullen, Hannah Macleod, Georgie Twigg, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Sam Quek are among those taking a break from the international game.
Joining the programme this month are Amy Costello, Olivia Page, Erica Sanders and Anna Toman (all University of Birmingham), as well as Charlotte Calnan, Emily Defroand, Jo Hunter and Hannah Martin from Surbiton.
Suzy Petty and Rose Thomas (both Wimbledon), Nicola Cochrane (Clifton Robinsons), Sarah Jones (Holcombe), Ellie Rayer (Loughborough University), Takara Haines (East Grinstead) and England’s under-21 captain Kathryn Lane (Leicester) also make up the new faces.
And attentions for Kerry have already turned well into the future, eyeing up a World Cup on home soil on 2018, with a chance to defend their Olympic title coming a couple of years later in Japan.
“Following a number of months of assessment within our centralised programme we have selected a new initial squad for the Tokyo cycle,” he said.
“We have, I feel, a good depth of skilful, committed, smart, and athletic athletes who are eager to learn, develop and build on the legacy and momentum of the Rio Olympic cycle.
“As part of this group we have also retained an excellent core from the previous cycle, who no doubt will play a key role in passing on the values and behaviours that drive performance whilst evolving the culture for the coming cycle.
“With a home World Cup for England on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2018, and the prospect of GB defending an Olympic title in Tokyo 2020 the challenges of this cycle are as clear, significant and exciting as ever.
“I believe this new squad has what it takes to shine again and continue to inspire future generations to play our sport.” Sportsbeat 2017