A National League Hockey Club, part of Holcombeians Sports Club

Four Holcombe men selected in Great Britain squad for Olympic Qualifiers

By Lucas Ball

Congratulations to Holcombe players Ollie Payne, David Ames, Phil Roper and Nick Bandurak who have all been selected in the Great Britain squad for the Olympic Qualifiers in Muscat, Oman.

Former Holcombe forward Sam Ward has also been selected while Ames will captain the side.

Paul Remington’s side will face China, Pakistan and Malaysia in Pool A, with New Zealand, Germany, Canada and Chile in Pool B.

The top-two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals, meaning there is a chance Payne, Ames, Roper and Bandurak could face Holcombe teammate Hayden Phillips in the latter stages.

Both finalists and the winners of the bronze medal match will qualify for Paris 2024.

Great Britain’s women, meanwhile, will face Canada, Malaysia and Spain in Pool B of their Qualifiers in Valencia, Spain. Belgium, Korea, Ireland and Ukraine will compete in Pool A.

Four former Holcombe players have been selected in David Ralph’s squad – Sarah Jones, Miriam Pritchard, Sarah Robertson and Laura Roper.

All GB matches will be shown live on BBC Sport’s digital channels in the UK.

England and GB Hockey CEO, Nick Pink, said: “We’re thrilled that BBC Sport has announced that the GB men’s and women’s matches will be shown live on their digital platforms.

“We all know the Olympic Qualifiers is a vital competition for the teams and for our community to be able to show their support and watch every moment of their journey is fantastic.

“I would like to encourage everyone to get the matches on and cheer on our teams every step of the way.”

Fixtures:

GB vs. Pakistan – 15th January, 8:45pm local time (4:45pm GMT)

GB vs. Malaysia – 16th January, 8:45pm local time (4:45pm GMT)

GB vs. China – 18th January, 6:30pm local time (2:30pm GMT)

Semi-finals and ranking matches will take place on the 20th January, with the final fixtures taking place on the 21st January.

Full squads:

Men: Nick Park, Jack Waller, David Ames (C), Jacob Draper, Zach Wallace (VC), Rupert Shipperley, Sam Ward, James Albery (VC), Phil Roper, James Mazarelo (GK), Brendan Creed, Ollie Payne (GK), Nick Bandurak, James Gall, Liam Sanford, Lee Morton, Tom Sorsby, Will Calnan

Women’s: Giselle Ansley, Amy Costello, Fiona Crackles, Hannah French, Sophie Hamilton, Sabbie Heesh (GK), Tess Howard, Sarah Jones, Lily Owsley, Hollie Pearne-Webb (C), Izzy Petter, Miriam Pritchard (GK), Ellie Rayer, Katie Robertson, Sarah Robertson, Laura Roper, Anna Toman, Lily Walker

Image: Great Britain Hockey