Wales U21 Women celebrated by Welsh Government before travelling to Junior World Cup

The Wales U21 Women’s squad was hosted and celebrated by Welsh Government at Portland House on Wednesday 19^th November, before travelling to Chile for the Junior World Cup.

The 20-strong squad departs for Santiago on Wednesday 26^th November, having been locked into preparations for the ultimate showcase of the brightest young hockey talent in the world.

The event at welcomed leaders and colleagues from the sport and leisure sector and beyond, with Elin Burns hosting a wonderful evening.

The travelling squad were presented with their shirts by Head Coach Walid Abdo on the night, while Eloise Moat, Amy Cradden and captain Betsan Thomas took part in a special Q&A session which gave amazing insight into the camp feel ahead of an historic occasion for Welsh hockey.

Having qualified for the competition courtesy of an incredible U21 II-A Championships win last year, Wales will come up against Zimbabwe, Belgium and Argentina in the group stage, fuelled by passion and pride as they come up against global powerhouses of the sport.

And Wednesday night at Portland House was a wider celebration of hockey, as well, with an historical cap being presented to Emma Done, who made her debut in 1996.

In a touching moment, Emma was presented her cap by her daughter Poppy who, alongside her sister Holly, will be travelling to Chile to represent our U21s at the Junior World Cup.

Hoci Cymru also used the fantastic moment to say thank you to The National Lottery, as our Chair Bill Riley presented representatives with a commemorative shirt. The National Lottery directly funds our Welsh athletes, supports the grassroots hockey clubs, and invests into creating world-class sporting facilities across hockey and the wider sector.

Hoic Cymru would like to thank Welsh Government and everyone who joined us on the night for such a memorable event as we wished our U21 Women’s squad the best of luck at the Junior World Cup.