Sports fans are in for a treat with some of the nation’s top stars set to play in hockey’s London Cup in Chiswick, which begins next Tuesday. European Champions England have named ten Olympians in the squad for hockey’s London showcase, which will also see Commonwealth Games bronze medal winners New Zealand, Korea and Belgium on show.
Just one year out from the Olympic Games the capital will play host to players including Great Britain captain Barry Middleton, prolific goal scorer James Tindall and penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell, who recently made his 100th appearance for England. Also in the side, having sat his A Levels at Ipswich School last month is 18 year old Harry Martin, who was a member of the squad at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last year.
Speaking as the squad was announced, two times Olympian Barry Middleton said: “I’m really looking forward to getting the chance to run out in front of a home crowd at The London Cup. With so much excitement around the Olympic Games this is a great opportunity for people to come and see us and find out a bit more about hockey. I think anyone who isn’t familiar with hockey will be very impressed with the speed and skill. It’s bound to capture people’s imagination.”
Head Coach Jason Lee added, “It’s great to have a tournament at home. It will be difficult and the games will be of a very high standard but I hope we can put on a good show for the home crowd.”
Fans will get the chance to meet their Olympic heroes throughout the week with members of the England and Great Britain women’s squad also in attendance. As well as playing host to world class hockey, The London Cup will feature a Fun Zone in which visitors can put their skills to the ultimate test in ‘The Cage’, giving them the chance to score points and win prizes. ‘The Cage’ has already proved hugely popular as it caught the attention of commuters in London’s Victoria station last week and is set to do likewise at Paddington station today.
The tournament, which takes place at the University of Westminster Sports Ground from 12-16 July, will form part of England’s preparations for August’s European Championships in Germany, where the team will attempt to defend the title it won two years ago.
It all gets underway with Schools Day on Tuesday 12 July as schools from across the country descend on West London to see Korea and New Zealand open proceedings before England’s campaign begins against Belgium.
Ladies Evening on Wednesday 13 July is the first of two evenings of action with Friday night set to be a showpiece occasion as England clash with New Zealand.
Saturday 16 is Finals Day featuring the bronze and gold medal matches as well as hockey’s Annual Awards Lunch, where the dedication and success of teams, clubs and individuals from across the country is recognised, rewarded and celebrated.
Tickets are still available for all four days from The London Cup ticket hotline on 0844 499 3222 or online via www.englandhockey.co.uk/thelondoncup. Offering superb value, tickets start at just £5 for under 18s and £10 for adults and cover both matches in a day.
Just one year out from the Olympic Games the capital will play host to players including Great Britain captain Barry Middleton, prolific goal scorer James Tindall and penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell, who recently made his 100th appearance for England. Also in the side, having sat his A Levels at Ipswich School last month is 18 year old Harry Martin, who was a member of the squad at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi last year.
Speaking as the squad was announced, two times Olympian Barry Middleton said: “I’m really looking forward to getting the chance to run out in front of a home crowd at The London Cup. With so much excitement around the Olympic Games this is a great opportunity for people to come and see us and find out a bit more about hockey. I think anyone who isn’t familiar with hockey will be very impressed with the speed and skill. It’s bound to capture people’s imagination.”
Head Coach Jason Lee added, “It’s great to have a tournament at home. It will be difficult and the games will be of a very high standard but I hope we can put on a good show for the home crowd.”
Fans will get the chance to meet their Olympic heroes throughout the week with members of the England and Great Britain women’s squad also in attendance. As well as playing host to world class hockey, The London Cup will feature a Fun Zone in which visitors can put their skills to the ultimate test in ‘The Cage’, giving them the chance to score points and win prizes. ‘The Cage’ has already proved hugely popular as it caught the attention of commuters in London’s Victoria station last week and is set to do likewise at Paddington station today.
The tournament, which takes place at the University of Westminster Sports Ground from 12-16 July, will form part of England’s preparations for August’s European Championships in Germany, where the team will attempt to defend the title it won two years ago.
It all gets underway with Schools Day on Tuesday 12 July as schools from across the country descend on West London to see Korea and New Zealand open proceedings before England’s campaign begins against Belgium.
Ladies Evening on Wednesday 13 July is the first of two evenings of action with Friday night set to be a showpiece occasion as England clash with New Zealand.
Saturday 16 is Finals Day featuring the bronze and gold medal matches as well as hockey’s Annual Awards Lunch, where the dedication and success of teams, clubs and individuals from across the country is recognised, rewarded and celebrated.
Tickets are still available for all four days from The London Cup ticket hotline on 0844 499 3222 or online via www.englandhockey.co.uk/thelondoncup. Offering superb value, tickets start at just £5 for under 18s and £10 for adults and cover both matches in a day.
The London Cup Match Schedule
Tuesday 12 July
11:45: Korea v New Zealand
14:00: England v Belgium
Wednesday 13 July
17:45: Belgium v New Zealand
20:00: England v Korea
Thursday 14 July
Rest Day
Friday 15 July
17:45: Belgium v Korea
20:00: England v New Zealand
Saturday 16 July
15:00: Bronze Medal Match
17:30: Gold Medal Match
ENGLAND HOCKEY MEN'S SQUAD FOR THE LONDON CUP
Name (Club) Position - Eng Caps/Eng Goals - GB Caps/GB Goals - Age
Nick Brothers (Reading) Goalkeeper - 27/0 - 7/0 - 27
Nick Catlin (Loughborough Students) Forward - 34/3 - 7/1 - 22
Jonty Clarke (Reading) Forward - 127/25 - 40/11 - 30
Matt Daly (Surbiton) Forward - 88/40 - 41/12 - 27*
Adam Dixon (Beeston) Defender/Midfielder - 47/0 - 12/0 - 24
James Fair (Cannock) Goalkeeper - 75/0 - 19/0 - 30
Ben Hawes (Wimbledon) Defender - 121/24 - 69/19 - 30
Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead) Midfielder - 134/7 - 49/4 - 28
Iain Lewers (Loughborough Students) Defender - 3/0 - 7/0 - 27
Iain Mackay (Reading) Midfielder - 50/9 - 12/1 - 26
Richard Mantell (Reading) Defender - 102/46 - 41/19 - 29
Simon Mantell (Reading) Forward - 78/35 - 41/6 - 27
Harry Martin (Old Loughtonians) Midfielder - 8/0 - 6/0 - 18
Barry Middleton (c) (Der Club an der Alster) Midfielder/Forward - 146/36 - 80/28 - 27
Rob Moore (Wimbledon) Midfielder/Forward - 137/18 - 63/17 - 30
Richard Smith (Loughborough Students) Defender - 53/6 - 7/3 - 23
James Tindall (Surbiton) Forward - 114/50 - 46/17 - 28
Alastair Wilson (Beeston) Defender - 90/6 - 42/0 - 27
*Matt Daly turns 28 on 8 July 2011.
Source: England Hockey Media Release
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