England Hockey has announced the 18 man squad to compete at the 2009 Hamburg Masters from 4-7 June.
With number one goalkeeper James Fair recovering from a broken toe, the squad includes Beeston goalkeeper George Pinner and Richard Potton of East Grinstead. Although neither player has previously been capped for England at senior level, Pinner has two Great Britain caps from his time in the GB training squad prior to the 2008 Olympic Games. Potton has been invited to provide cover.
Also included alongside ten Beijing Olympians are the five players who made their senior international debuts against Germany in Nuremburg earlier this month; Adam Dixon, Simon Egerton, Dan Fox, Iain Mackay and Richard Smith all retain their places for the return to Germany.
Head Coach Jason Lee believes the time is right for the new faces to stake their claim for a regular place. “Eight of the squad are just at the start of their international career,” he says. “It is imperative that they quickly step up to make the most of the opportunity. Without doubt they will never have experienced this quality or intensity of hockey before.”
The tournament, being played at the home of the 2008 European club champions Uhlenhorster, represents a stern but valuable test for England as they come up against Olympic and World champions Germany, European champions the Netherlands and Olympic bronze medalists Australia as they prepare for the EuroHockey Nations Championships in August.
“The Hamburg Masters is always a high quality event,” says Lee. “We were disappointed not to be able to take part after being invited to participate in last year’s tournament however I believe our invitation for the third consecutive year reflects well on the standard of our play in recent times. The competition this year will be incredibly strong; at the larger Champions Trophy tournament for example, you would normally expect to play at least three out of the World’s top four teams but in Hamburg we will also face first, second and fourth in the World.”
England was invited to take part in the 2008 Hamburg Masters tournament but had to decline the offer, with the tournament coming on the back of the Beijing Olympic Games in October. England’s last participation in the tournament came in 2007 when they finished fourth after defeats by Spain, Germany and Belgium.
Team England: George Pinner, Richard Potton, Glenn Kirkham, Richard Alexander, Richard Mantell, Ashley Jackson, Simon Mantell, Matt Daly, Jonty Clarke, Ben Hawes, Adam Dixon, Barry Middleton, Adam Harper, James Tindall, Simon Egerton, Iain Mackay, Dan Fox, Richard Smith.
Source: England Hockey
