England squad named for 2022 junior women’s world cup

England have named a 20-strong squad for the Junior Women’s World Cup in South Africa. There is significant excitement going into this event; it has been six years since the last tournament

in Chile in 2016, and this iteration was also postponed from its original date of December 2021, meaning there has been an unprecedented build-up as an African nation hosts this event for

the first time. The event takes place from 1 – 12 April in Potchefstroom. Simon Letchford’s squad is an exciting and talented group, led on the pitch by Captain Millie Giglio of the

University of Birmingham. With their team currently top of the Vitality Women’s Division One North, University of Nottingham have four representatives in the squad, including one of the

domestic league’s top scorers Maddie Axford, as well as Mollie Mason who is named as one of England’s two Vice Captains. The other Vice Captain is goalkeeper Mila Welch of East Grinstead.

Head Coach Simon Letchford said: “After the disappointment of the event being postponed last December, I am delighted that twenty athletes are going to have the opportunity to participate in

such a fantastic tournament. “With a large number of the squad selected in December having transitioned into the senior squad, this is a new Under 21 group. In the short space of time

together, it has been great to see them develop so quickly and during our time in South Africa I look forward to seeing them continue to grow both individually and as a team. “In playing

with intensity and without fear, I hope that this tournament creates memories that last forever and will shape their future.” Nine of the 20 players originally announced in December’s squad

are selected again. A number of players originally selected have now stepped up to be part of the senior programme, including Olympic medallists Fiona Crackles and Izzy Petter, plus Darcy

Bourne, Alex Malzer and the Hamilton twins Olivia and Sophie. After finishing seventh at the last event in 2016, this group will be hoping to improve on that. In the previous two events the

women just missed out on a podium placing, finishing fourth in 2009 and 2013. The England men’s team were unfortunately unable to take part in their event in India late last year. England

only have three teams in their Pool, following the sad withdrawal of the Ukraine team a few days before the event is due to begin. NAME CLUB Beth Alexander Loughborough University Emma

Allroggen Berliner Maddie Axford University of Nottingham Bronte Brough Repton Hockey Club Ella Burnley ISCA Tilly Butterworth Repton Hockey Club Kitty Chapple Clifton Robinsons Katie Curtis

University of Nottingham Georgie Gardens Harleston Magpies Millie Giglio (Captain) University of Birmingham Emily Guckian Harvard University Maddie Long Surbiton Lorna Mackenzie

Loughborough University Vicki McCabe Team Bath Buccaneers Sofia Martin Southgate Becky Manton University of Birmingham Mollie Mason (Co-Vice Captain) University of Nottingham Claudia Swain

University of Nottingham Mila Welch (GK and Co-Vice Captain) East Grinstead Evie Wood (GK) University of Birmingham SUPPORT STAFF Simon Letchford Head Coach John Bell Assistant Coach Leigh

Maasdorp Manager Tom Millington Goalkeeping Coach Lynn Booth Physiotherapist Hannah Cureton Performance Analyst POOL FIXTURES 1 April England v South Africa 11am local time 2 April England v

Ireland 5pm local time If finishing first or second in pool: 8 April Quarter Finals 10 April Semi Finals 12 April Final / 3rd-4th play-off If finishing third or fourth in pool: 7, 9 &

11 April Classification matches All games will be available to watch for a small fee on the FIH’s Watch.Hockey app and website. A pass for the tournament is £4.49. In addition, England

Hockey would like to warmly congratulate umpire Rebecca Woodcock after she was added to the list of umpires for this event.