By Lucas Ball
Congratulations to Lottie Bingham who has been promoted to the England under-21s’ squad for the upcoming Junior World Cup in Chile after initially being selected as a travelling reserve.
Martha Taylor and Lily Walker were selected for Great Britain’s FIH Pro League squad, meaning Bingham and Ella Burnley of Surbiton join the full under-21s group for the tournament.
Bingham said: “Playing that first match against New Zealand will be amazing.
“The girls have been so supportive about going to Chile, they’ve allowed me to thrive in this environment and work on things that I need to get out there.
“They’ve helped me be as well-prepared as possible.
“Throughout the years, I’ve always been age-trapped so I’ve always been with the older lot.
“I’ll also be one of the youngest in Chile. Being one of the youngest, you always have to rise to the intensity, they’re always setting the standards.
“You follow along but you do find your voice in the end.
“Being the youngest in there is a little bit difficult but you can’t use age as an excuse, you’ve just got to get on with it and rise to the intensity that’s expected of everyone in that group.”
Emily Gilbert and Olivia Breed have now been selected as travelling reserves.
Simon Letchford’s side have arrived in Chile and took part in a warm-up match on Saturday against Argentina, losing 3-1.
England will face New Zealand, the USA and Japan in Pool D, with the top-two from each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Full squad:
Name | Club
- Beth Alexander | Loughborough University
- Alice Atkinson | University of Birmingham
- Maddie Axford | University of Nottingham
- Lottie Bingham | Holcombe HC
- Ella Burnley | Surbiton HC
- Tilly Butterworth | Repton Sch/Repton HC
- Katie Curtis | Surbiton HC
- Hollie Dring-Richardson | Loughborough University
- Sienna Dunn | University of Nottingham
- Georgie Gardens | University of Exeter/Isca HC
- Martha Le Huray | Surbiton HC
- Maddie Long | University of Nottingham
- Sofia Martin | Hampstead and Westminster HC
- Lizzy Pocknell | Durham University
- Molly Smith | Loughborough University
- Scarlett Spavin | Durham University
- Claudia Swain | University of Nottingham
- Evie Wood | University of Birmingham
Travelling Reserves
- Olivia Breed
- Emily Gilbert | Wimbledon HC
Support Staff
- Simon Letchford | Head Coach
- Brett Holland | Assistant Coach
- Leigh Maasdorp | Assistant Coach
- Tom Millington | Team Manager/GK Coach
- Charli Robertson | Physiotherapist
- Hannah Cureton | Performance Analyst
- Nicky Osborne | Doctor
- Heather Williams | Head of GB Talent Development
Fixtures (local time):
- 30/11/2023, 10:00am – England vs. New Zealand
- 01/12/2023, 6:30pm – USA vs. England
- 03/12/2023, 10:00am – England vs. Japan
Image: Becci Woodhead