Johnson Names 18-Strong Squad For His Bow As Wales Women’s Hockey Coach

Sarah Jones and Hockey Wales International Ambassador Jo Westwood are set to win their 50th caps in Italy in this month.

The duo are part of an 18-strong squad that will travel to San Vito Romano to face Italy in a three match test series taking place from 23-26 June.

And Sarah-Jane (SJ) Thorburn of Swansea City Spartans and Hannah Cozens of Loughborough University are poised to win their first caps.

It will be the first international for Wales Women since Kevin Johnson – also head coach of England Hockey League Premiership side Holcombe Ladies – came into place as Wales Women’s head coach:

Johnson said: “The forthcoming away series against Italy has come at a good time for us as we look ahead to a busy summer period.

“The group has completed a positive block of training where we have underpinned a number of core principles to our game and we now look forward to testing these against a higher world ranked opposition.”

The series against Italy is the start of the Women’s international season, which is also set to include two home international test series that will take place at the National Hockey Centre in Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

It will also be important preparation for the women ahead of FIH World League when Wales will come up against world-class opposition in Round 1 in Douai, France in September.

Johnson added: “It is an opportunity for our players to showcase the gains they have already made whilst also allowing us a further insight into areas we must continue to build upon.”

Wales Women Squad for San Vito Romano 2016
Abi Welsford (Captain), Swansea City Spartans
Beth Bingham, Loughborough University
Danni Jordan, Clifton HC
Ella Jackson (GK), University of Exeter
Hannah Cozens, Loughborough University
Joanne Westwood, Swansea City Spartans
Julie Whiting, FC Lyon
Leah Wilkinson (Vice Captain), Holcombe HC
Lisa Daley, Swansea City Spartans
Natasha Marke-Jones, Swansea City Spartans
Phoebe Richards, Buckingham HC
Roseanne Thomas (GK), Wimbledon HC
Sarah Jones, Holcombe HC
Sarah-Jane Thorburn, Swansea City Spartans
Sian French, Bowdon Hightown HC
Sophie Clayton, Swansea City Spartans
Tina Evans, University of Birmingham
Xenna Hughes, University of Birmingham

Match Schedule
18:00  Thursday 23 June
18.00  Saturday 25 June
11.00  Sunday 26 June