Team GB name hockey squads for summer Olympics in Rio
Tuesday 28 June 2016 16:10, UK
The British Olympic Association has named Team GB's hockey squads for Rio with a number of former Olympians included in the travelling parties.
Eight of the women's team who won bronze at London 2012 return with Hannah MacLeod, Georgie Twigg, Laura Unsworth and Nicola White all included, Crista Cullen and Alex Danson set to head to their fourth Games later this summer, and Helen and Kate Richardson-Walsh on their way to a fourth Olympics.
The rest of the 16-strong squad are set for their Olympic debuts. However, all have experience on the international stage having helped England claim European Championship gold in London last year.
In the men's squad, Barry Middleton makes his fourth Olympic Games appearance while Ashley Jackson returns for his third after appearing at Beijing in 2008 and London.
Nick Catlin, Dan Fox, Iain Lewers and Harry Martin also return from the squad who finished fourth in London with 10 players in line for the Olympics bow.
Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said: "I'm very proud to be able to welcome hockey players from both the men's and women's squads to Team GB.
"In both of these sides there is a blend of Olympic experience and Olympic debutants who have come through in the last four years and who have shown they can compete at the very highest level.
"It's great to qualify athletes in the team sports, and a tremendous spirit exists across hockey, which has developed and grown during this four year cycle. I'm sure this will stand them in good stead this summer and I'm confident that on their day they can match any team in the world."
Women's squad: Giselle Ansley, Sophie Bray, Crista Cullen, Alex Danson, Maddie Hinch, Hannah Macleod, Shona McCallin, Lily Owsley, Sam Quek, Helen Richardson-Walsh, Kate Richardson-Walsh, Susannah Townsend, Georgie Twigg, Laura Unsworth, Hollie Webb, Nicola White.
Reserves: Joanna Leigh, Eleanor Watton, Kirsty Mackay.
Men's squad: David Ames, Alastair Brogdon, Nicholas Catlin, David Condon, Adam Dixon, Daniel Fox, Mark Gleghorne, Michael Hoare, Ashley Jackson, Iain Lewers, Harry Martin, Barry Middleton, George Pinner, Ian Sloan, Samuel Ward, William Weir.
Reserves: Simon Mantell, Dan Shingles, James Bailey.
