Wales Hockey Handed Huge Boost By Hosting Top European Tournament

Cardiff will host the 2017 Women’s EuroHockey Championship Division II tournament next summer.

The decision by the European Hockey Federation (EHF) is another huge boost to Hockey Wales, which last hosted a EuroHockey tournament in 20009.

Wales will compete with Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, France, Italy, Poland, and Russia in the eight-team tournament with the winners promoted to the Championship.

Hockey Wales CEO David Phenis said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded such a prestigious international event.

“The tournament is not only fantastic news for our national women’s team and hockey fans, but also for Cardiff.

“It provides the opportunity to watch yet more world-class sporting action, and we are excited to be welcoming our European guests to this wonderful city.”

Wales, promoted to the league in 2013, overcame several higher ranked teams to finish a respectable fifth when France staged the biannual tournament in 2015.

Dan Clements, Hockey Wales Head of Performance, said:  “We are delighted to be hosting such a high-status event here in Wales in what promises to be a fantastic year of major sporting events in Cardiff.

“Hosting, and participating in major events is crucial to the promotion of our game to inspire the next generation.

“Furthermore, to have such a high profile female sporting event coming to Wales shows great strides in the profile and recognition of women’s sport and we are excited about the platform this will provide.”

The announcement comes at an exciting time for the Welsh women’s team with the recent appointment of Kevin Johnson as the new head coach.

Johnson’s wealth of experience, which includes roles with England and GB Hockey, will be vital for the team’s on-going development and preparation for next summer’s tournament.

Wales International and Athlete Ambassador for Hockey Wales Natasha Marke-Jones said: “You don’t get many chances to play international hockey on home turf.

“It is going to make it a very special EuroHockey Championships for all the team.

“European’s is the height of the competitive calendar next season and so there is lots at stake for us as a team, which will make it a really exciting spectacle.

“Putting on the shirt and singing the anthem alongside a passionate home crowd will be phenomenal!”