04:00PM, Wednesday 19 June 2024
Ellie Rayer with Shona McCallin after winning bronze with Team GB at Tokyo 2020
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Several Berkshire-based players have been named in Great Britain's men's and women's hockey teams for the Paris Olympics this summer.
The women head into the competition off the back of their bronze medal success at the Tokyo Games in 2020 (played in 2021).
Maidenhead's Hannah French, Anna Toman and Giselle Ansley are all named in the squad for the Games in Paris, however, there's no place for former Claires Court School pupil Ellie Rayer, who currently plays club hockey for East Grinstead.
Rayer – who won bronze with GB in Tokyo – had helped Great Britain qualify for the Paris Games, scoring in a semi-final qualifier against New Zealand before helping the side to a 2-1 win over Ireland in a third/fourth placed play-off match that guaranteed their participation in this summer's Olympics.
Six of the squad are returning for their second games and six are making their debut, including Tess Howard who was injured for Tokyo 2020.
Laura Roper is set to play her fourth Olympic Games and the 34-year-old is the team's most decorated Olympian, having won a medal at each of her three previous Games.
Defender Roper helped Britain win gold at Rio 2016, as well as bronze at both London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.
Maidenhead-based Phil Roper - who has coached at Maidenhead HC in recent seasons - has also been named in the men's squad for Paris.
Captain David Ames and Marlow's Sam Ward have also been called up for their third Games.
Women's head coach David Ralph said: "Whether this is your fourth Games or your first, being selected for an Olympics is an incredibly special moment which I know means a lot to all of our players.
"The GB women's squad has a long history at the Olympic Games, and we now have the opportunity to create our own history. This is our moment and our chance to create memories for life."
Mark England, Team GB's chef de mission, added: "There is a fantastic wealth of experience across the two squads, along with some exciting Olympic debutants. This blend of experience will stand them in good stead this summer and I am confident that on their day they can match any team in the world."
GB women's squad: Giselle Ansley, Amy Costello, Fiona Crackles, Hannah French, Sophie Hamilton, Tess Howard, Sarah Jones, Lily Owsley, Hollie Pearne-Webb, Flora Peel, Izzy Petter, Miriam Pritchard, Sarah Robertson, Laura Roper, Anna Toman, Charlotte Watson. Reserves: Grace Balsdon, Jess Buchanan, Lily Walker.
GB men's squad: James Albery, David Ames, Will Calnan, Jacob Draper, Gareth Furlong, David Goodfield, Lee Morton, Nick Park, Ollie Payne, Phil Roper, Liam Sanford, Rupert Shipperley, Zach Wallace, Jack Waller, Sam Ward, Conor Williamson. Reserves: James Mazarelo, Tim Nurse, Tom Sorsby.
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