England’s U16 and U18 squads launched their 2026 worldwide season over the Easter weekend with a robust set of performances throughout three venues in Europe. Competing within the Six Nations tournaments, the squads have been examined by top quality opposition and made a formidable begin to the 12 months of worldwide hockey.
England U18 Boys
Rakovník, Czechia
The England U18 Boys travelled to Rakovník, Czechia, for his or her Six Nations event, competing towards Austria U21, Czechia U21, France, Eire and Spain.
Match Outcomes
England 5-0 Eire (pleasant)
Josh Higgin x2 (FG, FG)
Mo Hippe (FG)
Toby Balls (PC)
Tom Wheeldon (FG)
England 3–2 France
Ben Barnett x2 (PS, PS)
Rory Wallace (FG)
England 3-3 Czechia U21
Adam Franks x2 (PC, FG)
Ben Barnett (PC)
England 4-5 Spain
Ben Barnett (PC)
Jake Glew (FG)
Matt Haines (FG)
Lakin-Corridor (PC)
England’s U18B facet produced a dramatic and finally heartbreaking event, combining attacking aptitude with a never-say-die spirit that carried all of them the way in which to the ultimate and safe a silver medal.
The week started positively with a assured 5–0 warm-up win over Eire on Friday, a efficiency that set an encouraging tone. That momentum continued into the group stage, the place the U18 Boys recorded a nail-biting 3–2 victory over France. England had been pegged again late, just for England to safe the win when a penalty stroke was transformed with simply 30 seconds remaining. Later within the group section, England have been concerned in one other late thriller towards Czechia U21. Trailing 3-1 because the clock ticked down, they produced a last-gasp equaliser within the remaining second to earn a 3–3 draw and, crucially, qualify for Monday’s remaining.
Within the remaining towards Spain, England appeared in management after transferring right into a 4–1 lead. Nevertheless, the sport swung dramatically within the closing phases as Spain mounted a exceptional comeback, scoring 4 late targets to show the tie on its head and take a 5–4 victory. Regardless of the ache of dropping the ultimate within the remaining moments, England’s marketing campaign was outlined by attacking high quality, resilience beneath strain and several other unforgettable late targets that highlighted the staff’s character.
England U18 Boys Interim Head Coach, James Bateman, stated: “Total I’m happy with the gamers’ spirit and the way in which they competed — late winners, gutsy performances and reaching the ultimate exhibits actual character. We’ll be taught from the heartbreak, refine the fantastic margins and use this momentum to push tougher forward of the summer time sequence.”
England U18 Women
Tonbridge Faculty, Kent
The England U18 Women hosted their Six Nations event at Tonbridge Faculty, welcoming Belgium, the Netherlands, Scotland, the US and Wales U21.
Match Outcomes
England 6–1 Scotland (Pleasant)
Meg Parry (PC)
Isla Campbell x2 (FG)
Evie Whitehead (FG)
Bella Hinde-Smith (PC)
Nina Lascelles (FG)
England 2–7 Netherlands
Nina Lascelles (PS)
Evie Youthful (PC)
England 2-0 Wales U21
Nina Lascelles x2 (PC,FG)
England 2-1 USA
Amelie Cater (FG)
Lettie Hughes (FG)
Match 1 – England 6 – Scotland 1
England began their six nations competitors with a warmup match towards Scotland, making a robust begin however initially failing to transform their probabilities. The breakthrough got here when Meg Parry
scored her first objective in an England shirt from a PC, earlier than Isla Campbell added a second from generated house to fireside a low exhausting backhand on the objective which was too good for the Scottish goalkeeper.
A effectively linked counterattack within the second half led Isla Campbell getting her 2nd of the match with an excellent backhand supply from Evie Whitehead. Scotland gained some momentum scoring a discipline objective to make it 3-1. Quickly after, Evie Whitehead deflected residence a cross from Sophie Osbourne, and a effectively labored PC was stopped on the road for Bella Hinde-Smith to faucet in from shut vary. Nina Lascelles accomplished the scoring after a flowing transfer down the left.
Match 2 – England 2 – Netherlands 7
England took the sport to Dutch from minute one going excessive press and gained the primary circle entry of the match. Nevertheless, the guests gained a PC quickly after and even after the primary PC was charged down and the second was stopped on the road, the rebounders received their first, to attain after 7 minutes. They continued to commerce blows however with errors have been ruthlessly capitalised on England discovered themselves 3:0 down at quarter time. The resolve and resilience have been examined and the staff rallied effectively persevering with to assault and create assaults and PCs. It was the Dutch who have been extra medical and England went in 5:0 at halftime.
Spirit was galvanised and have been rewarded within the second half with 2 targets. The primary probability got here when a penalty stroke was awarded which Nina Lascelles transformed to make the rating 5-1. After 7 earlier makes an attempt the eighth PC was transformed with completely positioned ball from Evie Youthful. 2 extra PCs got here however no targets, nonetheless a Dutch flick wasn’t fairly stopped by the publish participant and rolled in. Regardless of the Dutch solely having a handful extra probabilities they have been extremely medical and ran out 7:2 winners.
Match 3 England 2 – Wales U21 0
The sport was a narrative of resilience, perseverance and sticking to the processes. The Welsh staff defended deep and doggedly. England mounted plenty of strain with 16 circle entries and getting 4 photographs and a pair of PCs they weren’t in a position to break the impasse. Comparable story in quarter 2 with 5 PCAs however nonetheless the Welsh held robust regardless of some good flowing assaults.
The impasse was damaged by a penalty nook strike from Nina Lascelles. Ten minutes later Nina discovered herself on the shoulder of the D and struck the ball cleanly throughout the objective to search out the far nook of the objective.
Match 4 England 2 – USA 1
The playoff match for third and 4th place within the competitors was towards the USA. True to kind the USA we straight out of the blocks, operating exhausting and dealing off the ball for one another, scoring their objective after 6 minutes.
The sport ebbed and flowed with England struggling to search out their stream however nonetheless creating probabilities. England timed their comeback objective effectively scoring straight from halftime with a effectively labored transfer and scored once more simply earlier than Q3 time. USA pulled their GK however England held on effectively to safe third spot.
England U18 Women Head Coach, Brett Holland, stated: “A lot studying on this camp. The gamers have been actually improbable on and notably off pitch. Their dedication to getting higher and supporting one another was actually spectacular, giving plenty of positivity for the remainder of the cycle, as we begin to put together for our summer time competitions. To be the very best, you need to play the very best, and it was nice to see how they channeled their disappointment and actually got here collectively to know the place we competed and the place we didn’t match the relentlessness and ruthlessness wanted for high junior worldwide hockey.”
England U16 Boys
Frankfurt, Germany
The England U16 Boys travelled to Frankfurt for his or her first expertise of a aggressive worldwide event, enjoying towards Germany, Scotland, Poland, Canada U18 and the Netherlands.
Match Outcomes
England 3-3 Scotland (Received Penalty Shoot Out 3-2)
Ali Broadwith x 2 (FG & FG)
Josh Hinde Smith x 1 (PC)
Participant of the Match Ali Broadwith
England 1–6 Germany (Received the Penalty Shoot Out 4-3)
Barney Gale x 1 (PC)
Participant of the Match Harry Bostelmann
England 1-1 Poland U18 (Misplaced the Penalty Shoot Out 1-2)
Miles Sealey x 1 (FG)
Participant of the Match Miles Sealey
England 2-0 Canada U18s (Received the Penalty Shoot Out 3-2)
Barney Gale x 1 (PC)
Josh Hinde Smith x 1 (PC)
Participant of the Match Sam Greayer Smith
The U16 Six Nations Match in Frankfurt, Germany was a improbable showcase of talent, teamwork, and progress. The boys delivered spectacular performances towards the Scottish Merging Squad, Germany U16, Poland, and Canada U18’s, demonstrating resilience and adaptableness all through.
Every match introduced out great moments each out and in of possession, with gamers proving their technical precision and tactical consciousness beneath strain.
Their capability to be taught from every encounter and regulate to the contrasting types of opposition highlighted their maturity and dedication to growth.
Confidence grew visibly throughout the event, as people and the staff refined their decision-making and execution.
Past outcomes, the expertise was invaluable—gamers embraced challenges, supported each other, and represented their nation with pleasure and professionalism. The event not solely examined their talents but in addition strengthened their perception in what they’ll obtain collectively.
England U16 Women
Tonbridge Faculty, Kent
The England U16 Women additionally hosted their Six Nations event at Tonbridge Faculty, welcoming Belgium, the Netherlands, Scotland, the US and France U17.
Match Outcomes
England 3–1 France U17 (Pleasant)
Pip Lucas (FG)
Caitlin White (FG)
Eva Franks-Martin (PS)
England 2–0 Netherlands
Phoebe Geoghegan (FG)
Summer time Risely (FG)
England 1-3 Scotland
England 5-0 Belgium
Daisy Fox (PC)
Caitlin White (FG)
Erin Tuffield (PC, FG)
Saya Murase (FG)
England U16 Women Head Coach, Don Vinson, stated: “For the overwhelming majority of the women within the squad, this was their first expertise of a junior worldwide event and their first publicity to enjoying towards among the strongest groups in Europe. Understandably, this event provided immense studying potential; there isn’t any query that we traversed a rollercoaster of developmental experiences.
“As we mirrored as a gaggle on the finish of the occasion, we highlighted a number of key elements that underpinned what went brilliantly. These similar factors additionally represented the areas we didn’t execute effectively sufficient in our loss to Scotland.
“Firstly, the collective depth, work fee, and technical execution beneath strain required in staff urgent is prime. To repeatedly dash, retain forehand strain, and accomplish that proactively for everything of the sport was the muse that helped us beat the Dutch 2-0 for the primary time in a few years. It was an excellent efficiency that featured distinctive decision-making and execution of fundamental abilities beneath excessive strain. Certainly, the distinction between the Dutch victory and the Scottish frustration was largely evident within the group’s capability to retain a excessive tempo, make the most of minimal touches, dynamically obtain the ball, and transfer it on with accuracy earlier than sprinting to new house.
“As is commonly the case with these tournaments, the group constructed on their sense of neighborhood significantly. They acknowledged the significance of supporting each other, celebrating small wins, and embracing a collective ‘problem’ mindset to assist one another be the easiest they might be.
“Bouncing again from the Scotland sport, the group’s efficiency towards Belgium was excellent. Once more, collective depth, easy use of the ball, and ‘loud’ vocal assist for each other have been the foundations by which the staff delivered an distinctive efficiency and our largest win over Belgium in years.”
The squads now flip their consideration to the summer time programme, together with a sequence within the Netherlands adopted by fixtures in Germany. In July, the squads will compete within the Summer time Eight Nations tournaments. The Underneath 18 groups will journey to Alcala la Actual and Granada in Spain, the Underneath 16 Boys will head to Walcz in Poland and the Underneath 16 Women will journey to Cork in Eire.
