Hulme And Wall Called Into Wales’ Hockey Squads

Team Wales have been forced to make one change to each of their men’s and women’s hockey squads for the Commonwealth Games which start on Thursday.

In the women’s team, 18-year-old Caro Hulme replaces midfielder Danielle Jordon, who broke a thumb in a practice game.

And Cardiff Met defender Ioan Wall comes in to the men’s squad for Jonathan Gooch, who Has also been ruled out of the Games on Australia’s Gold Coast by injury.

The women’s team play India in their Pool A opener on  Thursday while the men will face Pakistan in Pool B at 7.30pm with both games at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre.

Team Wales Chef de Mission Nicki Phillips said: “We are disappointed for Danni and Jonny who have both made a massive contribution to Team Wales in training and in the village.

“The way both players have handled their disappointment is outstanding and they will continue to receive our full support.

“We are also fortunate to have such able replacements in Caro and Ioan, already in Australia. We look forward to welcoming them into the village shortly.”

Women’s Head Coach Kevin Johnson commented: “Both the players and the staff are bitterly disappointed to lose Danni and, as a tight group, we have been there to support her as she deals with not being able to take part in the Commonwealth Games.

“Danni had worked very hard to recover from previous injury in recent months so it is sad to see her break her thumb in our first practice match on the Gold Coast.

“She is a positive and resilient character so we know she will come back fighting fit and ready for our next period of training and competition.

“While we remain disappointed for Danni, we now welcome Caro Hulme into the team. Caro will earn her first senior Wales cap here in the first match against India, alongside fellow 18 year old debutant Izzy Howell.

“It is positive for the future of Welsh women’s Hockey to see two young players line up for their first caps in the Commonwealth Games.

“I’m sure Caro will learn so much from the experience and the opportunity she has now been offered as she embarks on her senior international career after coming through our national age-group programme”

Men’s Head Coach Zak Jones said: “As a very close knit squad, we are obviously hugely disappointed for Jonny as he has been an extremely valuable member of our group over the previous three years.

“He has been an ever present and integral part of our defensive unit during that time. Unfortunately, injuries are part and parcel of elite hockey and although Jonny’s loss will be keenly felt, his absence provides eighteen year old Ioan with a fantastic opportunity to compete in the games.

“Ioan has been out here training with the group and playing in our warm up matches and was also a member of our successful European campaign last summer, so we have every confidence that he will transition seamlessly into the squad.”

Women’s squad: Elizabeth Bingham, Sophie Clayton, Lisa Daley, Tina Evans, Sian French, Isabelle Howell, Xenna Hughes, Caro Hulme*, Ella Jackson, Sarah Jones, Eloise Laity, Natasha Marke-Jones, Phoebe Richards, Delyth Thomas, Roseanne Thomas, Joanne Westwood, Julie Whiting, Leah Wilkinson.

* replacement for Danielle Jordan (injury)

Men’s Hockey Squad

James Carson, Alf Dinnie, Owain Dolan-Gray, Jacob Draper, James Fortnam, Benjamin Francis, Gareth Furlong, Rhys Gowman, Luke Hawker, Dale Hutchinson, Hywel Jones, Stephen Kelly, David Kettle, Dan Kyriakides, James Kyriakides, Lewis Prosser, Rupert Shipperly, Ioan Wall **

** replacement for Jonathan Gooch (injury)