England and Scotland women have announced their respective squads for a two-Test series in Manchester this weekend, with the home team recalling a veteran and the visitors opting for youth in the matches to be played at the Commonwealth Games venue.
Tina Cullen, a veteran of more than 200 internationals, has come out of retirement following consistent excellent performances in the National League and in the European Club Championship in Den Bosch (voted player of the tournament) last weekend.
“I am delighted that Tina has made herself available to the England programme. Tina brings a number of good attributes to the squad, including goal scoring abilities, leadership qualities (evidenced by her work at Bowdon Hightown HC), and a heart on her sleeve approach,” England coach Danny Kerry said.
“Further competition for places for the upcoming tournaments in the summer also allows greater flexibility in the range of options available to us in an international season also containing the Junior World Cup.
“I am sure that in some quarters some concerns will be raised over the relative age of Tina and her inclusion in the squad.
“As England coach I wish to be able to pick from the best and largest squad, and Tina’s performances warranted that I ask the question.”
Scotland meanwhile have opted for youth, with coach Lesley Hobley naming five uncapped players in her squad of 22. Also included are the experienced Emma Rochlin, Linda Clement and Louise Gordon.
The squad contains eight Bonagrass Grove players fresh from their efforts at the European Hockey Cup in Holland where they retained their ‘A’ Division status.
'This is the first time we’ve had the squad together since South Africa and it will be Lesley’s first opportunity to see how the girls perform in competition. It’s a good opportunity for the girls and we’re looking forward to seeing them take another step in their development. It will also be a great chance to see how England are shaping up as they are in our group for the European Championships,' team manager Brent Deans said.
The Scots will play the English senior squad twice over the weekend and will take on the U21s in a third match. The England team are using the matches as part of their preparations for the Champions Challenge in July, a competition they won in 2002.
This is the first in a series of Tests against European opposition for the Scottish senior women ahead of the European Championships in Dublin in August. The team will also test their skills against Holland, Belgium and Olympic champions Germany in the coming months, plus France, Ireland and Wales during the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh in July.
Scotland Women
Ali Bell (Bonagrass Grove) 0 Caps
Vikki Bunce (Bonagrass Grove) 30 Caps
Jane Burley (Giffnock) 77 Caps
Louise Carroll (Bonagrass Grove) 36 Caps
Aimee Clark (Hightown) 0 Caps
Linda Clement (Bonagrass Grove) 68 Caps
Lorna Dobbie (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 3 Caps
Carmin Dow (Bonagrass Grove) 1 Cap
Catriona Forrest (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 0 Caps
Jacqui Fortune (Giffnock) 2 Caps
Louise Gordon (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 58 Caps
Kath Gray (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 57 Caps
Sam Judge (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 76 Caps
Debbie McLeod (Bonagrass Grove) 23 Caps
Louise Munn (Grange Edinburgh Ladies) 13 Caps
Ailsa Robertson (Bonagrass Grove) 0 Caps
Catriona Semple (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 3 Caps
Fiona Sullivan (Giffnock) 0 Caps
Emma Rochlin (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 86 Caps
Ali Rowatt (Grange Edinburgh Ladies) 35 Caps
Cheryl Valentine Bonagrass Grove 57 Caps
Abi Walker (Glasgow En-Croute Western) 9 Caps
Management Team
Coach: Lesley Hobley
Assist Coach: Audrey Sime
Manager: Brent Deans
Videographer: Alan Lindsay
England Women
Mel Clewlow (Canterbury) 167 Caps
Tina Cullen (Hightown) 205 Caps
Becky Duggan (Ipswich) 5 Caps
Alkex Danson (Trojans) 21 Caps
Jo Ellis (Ipswich) 40 Caps
Cathy Gillat-Smith (Ipswich) 12 Caps
Vanessa Hawkins 6 Caps
Frances Houslop (Canterbury) 72 Caps
Helen Grant (Clifton) 76 Caps
Leisa King (Ipswich) 112 Caps
Carolyn Reid (Hightown) 123 Caps
Helen Richardson (Leicester) 70 Caps
Alex Scott (Slough) 7 Caps
Rachel Walker (Olton) 83 Caps
Kate Walsh (Klein Zwitserland) 123 Caps
Rachel Walsh (Club an der Alster) 24 Caps
Lisa Wooding (Chelmsford) 15 Caps
Lucilla Wright (Olton) 168 Caps
Match Schedule
Friday 20 May: Scotland v England, 7pm
Saturday 21 May: Scotland v England U21, 4.30pm
Sunday 22 May: Scotland v England, 10am
