Hoci Cymru are delighted to announce the 48 players selected to participate in the National Age Group (NAG) training squads for 2025.
We must congratulate all players who were part of the assessment process which was a very competitive one.
The selected squads include a mix of returning and new players in the programme who will build towards an exciting summer of competition which includes the EuroHockey II U18 European Championships in Alanya, Turkey for the boys and Glasgow, Scotland for the girls.
Pathway Manager, Ella Jackson, had this to say:
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those selected on this achievement, the opportunity to represent your age group internationally is a real honour. The selection process has become tougher for the coaches and that is a credit to the hard work and effort of the players being assessed.
It is extremely pleasing to see that some players have gained selection following a cycle in our new pathway, which was launched in September 2023. Seeing the new pathway have an immediate effect is hugely positive and a credit to the players and coaches we have throughout our pathway.
Congratulations to those selected and good luck for an exciting and competitive year”.
Commenting on the boys’ selection, Head Coach Mark Ramage said:
“I am extremely proud of the dedication, effort, and determination each player has shown throughout the selection process. While the decision-making wasn’t easy, we’re confident that the final squad is fully equipped to represent Wales at the highest level. The upcoming international matches and training camps will serve as a true test of their skills, resilience, and team spirit. We’re eager to see how the players rise to the challenge as we begin our preparations for the European tournament in Turkey this summer. This is an incredible opportunity for these young athletes to gain valuable experience on the international stage, and we’re excited for what lies ahead.”
There are also a number of players who have gained selection into the NAGS programme after coming through the new pathway that was launched in 2023. The new pathway has provided a lot of competitive opportunities for the players involved which has helped prepare them towards NAG selection.
Commenting on the girls’ selection, Head Coach Chris Davis commented:
“We have a really talented group of players that have been selected who can look forward to a really exciting program over the next few months building up to the Euros. I can’t wait to get started in a few weeks' time and see where we can take this promising group”
