Sarah Robertson selected in Great Britain squad for Australia series
Scotland’s Sarah Robertson has been selected by Great Britain to feature in a six-match test series against Australia from 12-21 February.
Head Coach Danny Kerry has named an enlarged squad of 22 players for the fixtures in Bunbury (2 tests) and Perth (4 tests) that does not feature Robertson’s compatriots Emily Maguire and Amy Gibson.
(Sarah Robertson pictured in action against England will join the Great Britain squad for the trip to Australia next month. Photo Credit: Ady Kerry.)
Kerry has opted to bring in seven players who did not play in the World League Final last year with Giselle Ansley, Susie Gilbert, Sarah Haycroft, Sarah Robertson and Zoe Shipperley coming in alongside Shona McCallin and Sophie Bray, who have returned from injury. Ashleigh Ball and Nicola White are left out from the squad that played in Argentina.
Commenting on his selection, Great Britain Head Coach Danny Kerry said, “We will be using the training and the test series to give the squad exposure to a different style of hockey to the one they would typically face in Europe. It is a good opportunity for us to develop as a group with an extended period of matches in an overseas environment.
“I am delighted for Sophie Bray’s return. She has persevered through a challenging time to overcome injury. I look forward to seeing her back on the pitch.
“Sarah Robertson has also been included in the group. She is an intelligent hard working young player who has shown rapid development. We believe this experience will serve her well in that continued development.”
The series will provide excellent preparation for the team ahead of an important year where London will host the best teams in the world at the Champions Trophy before the Olympics in Rio in August where Australia and Great Britain are in the same pool.
A number of players are set to reach landmarks in their international careers during the series. Having reached the 350 cap milestone at the World League Finals, Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh is poised to become Great Britain’s most capped female player of all time. Currently on 353 caps, she has Karen Brown’s 355 in sight and could surpass the total in the third match of the series.
Great Britain Women’s Squad
| Name | Club |
| Giselle Ansley | Surbiton |
| Sophie Bray | East Grinstead |
| Crista Cullen | |
| Alex Danson | Reading |
| Susie Gilbert | Reading |
| Sarah Haycroft | Surbiton |
| Maddie Hinch | Holcombe |
| Joie Leigh | Clifton |
| Kirsty Mackay | East Grinstead |
| Hannah Macleod | St Albans |
| Shona McCallin | Holcombe |
| Lily Owsley | University of Birmingham |
| Sam Quek | Holcombe |
| Helen Richardson-Walsh | Reading |
| Kate Richardson-Walsh | Reading |
| Sarah Robertson | Holcombe |
| Zoe Shipperley | Buckingham |
| Susannah Townsend | Canterbury |
| Georgie Twigg | Surbiton |
| Laura Unsworth | East Grinstead |
| Ellie Watton | St Albans |
| Hollie Webb | Surbiton |
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