The Ulster U18 boys and girls squads have been named for the 2022 edition of the School Games, taking place in Loughborough University next week.
Between Thursday 01 and Sunday 04 September, 1,300 young athletes, including 36 Ulster hockey athletes, will compete across ten different sports, including disability disciplines, at venues across the Loughborough University Campus.
Now in its 15th year, the event, supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, creates an inspirational and motivational setting to not only provide young athletes with the opportunity to thrive and perform at the highest level but also encourage more young people to take part and succeed in sport.
In the hockey event, Ulster will take on England, Scotland and Wales over 3 days of exciting action.
Talent Lead Shirley McCay is looking forward to the competition:
“The School Games is a fantastic advert for the talent amongst the underage groups playing for the home nations. Last year both our squads won their respective tournaments, but we will expect an even tougher test this time around. We are delighted to be part of the event and grateful to Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust for supporting such a fantastic occasion. I hope we can build on the success of last season and wish both teams and staff the best of luck.”
Co-head coach of the U18 boys, Paddy Grimes:
“This trip is a fantastic opportunity for the group to be involved in a multi-sports event of this scale and to play against their peers from across the other home nations. The competitiveness for places in the SG squad has been good in the last few months and this has left selection very difficult. The squad contains a good mix of experienced players fresh from exploits with the Irish U-18 boys this summer and a number of new players who will experience this level of hockey for the first time.”
Head Coach of the U18 girls, Suzanne Evans:
“The girls Interpro champions of 2022 are deep in preparations for the upcoming UK School Games in Loughborough. We are looking forward to the challenge of playing in such a prestigious multi sport event against England, Scotland & Wales. With a very successful summer of Irish hockey for a number of players the team are hoping for strong performances throughout. The weekend sees the culmination of this great squad of girls where some will ‘move on’ whilst Ulster will prepare a new squad for the 2022-23 Interpro Series.”
Ulster U18 girls
Olivia Beattie
Ella Brown
Alex Byrne
Rachel Cox
Enya Darby
Ellie Edwards
Eva Gaston
Sophie Kidd
Sarah Kirgan
Ella Latuske
Kaia Moore
Anna Pim
Abbie Robinson
Jessica Ryan
Gabriella Scott
Jodie Simmons
Emma Uprichard
Molly Watt
Ulster U18 boys
Sam Anderson
Harry Archbold
Aaron Baxter
Josh Brownlee
Mark Cuddy
Tommy Dobson
James Evans
Scott Hosick
Allen Lyons (C)
Conor Matthews
Robbie Mayne
Patrick McElhinney
Matthew Mckee
Daniel Murray
Ben Pollock
Matthew Spence
Matthew Stevenson
Callum Ullah
Further information about the school games can be found at https://www.schoolgamesfinals.org/
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