Wales’ Men and Women Exceed Expectations at FIH Nations Cup

Wales’ senior men’s and women’s hockey teams have delivered strong performances in their respective FIH Nations Cup competitions, surpassing their pre-tournament seedings and showcasing resilience and skill throughout the competition.

The women won a bronze medal with fantastic wins against the Czech Republic and hosts Poland, as well as a draw with Italy. Meanwhile the men were held to a strong draw with South Africa and defeated Japan and hosts Malaysia to secure 5th place.

Despite financial limitations and the added challenge of players balancing hockey with full-time careers, both teams have demonstrated remarkable commitment resilience and skill on the international stage.

These performances also highlight the effective coaching and player development strategies in place. Coaches have worked diligently within the constraints of limited resources to prepare their squads, ensuring players are ready for the challenges of international competition. This preparation has been particularly successful in integrating young talent into the senior teams, with several emerging players gaining invaluable international experience.

In particular, the women’s team stands out for its youth, with an average age of just 23. Many of the players in both squads have the potential to progress into the Great Britain setup, with five athletes currently involved in GB senior programs and another five in the Elite Development Squad. The ability of these young players to perform at a high level bodes well for the future of Welsh hockey.

A key highlight of the tournament was the achievement of Head Coach Kevin Johnson, who marked his 100th official test or tournament game in charge of the Welsh senior squads. This milestone reflects the continuity and stability within the program and is a testament to Johnson's leadership and commitment to the development of Welsh hockey.

The Nations Cup also saw a number of individual player milestones. Gareth Furlong celebrated his 150th cap for Wales, alongside his 100th goal, highlighting his significant contribution to the team over the years. Additionally five players earned their first senior caps during the tournament, with Sam Welsh, Katie Partridge, Beth Peers, Ffion Horrell, and Lottie Atkinson all making their international debuts.

Hoci Cymru CEO, Paul Whapham commented on the performances : “These performances are a testament to the extraordinary commitment, resilience, and talent of our players and staff. Competing with and outperforming higher-ranked nations on the world stage, despite limited resources and the challenges our athletes face balancing full-time careers, is a remarkable achievement. It reflects not only the dedication of everyone involved but also the strength of our development pathways. We’re immensely proud of what’s been accomplished and excited about what lies ahead.”

The results at the Nations Cup provide a solid foundation as both teams set their sights on the upcoming European Championships at the end of July. These tournaments are crucial for further development and will provide the necessary experience ahead of Wales’ long-term goal: qualification for the 2027 Europeans in England.

For both teams, the Nations Cup was a vital opportunity to gain experience, assess their development, and build towards future challenges. The performances at the Nations Cup provide a solid foundation for the teams as they prepare for the Euros and the long-term goal of achieving success at the highest level of international competition.

All photos credited to FIH/WorldSportPics