ULSTER U16 SQUADS ANNOUNCED

Ulster Hockey is delighted to confirm the Under 16 male and female squads for 2021-22.

Selection comes after a long period of assessments and all players who have made it onto their respective panels should be congratulated for their commitment and resilience after a difficult 18 months due to Covid restrictions.

Following discussions and consultations over the last number of months the format for the Interprovincial competitions has been revised and matches will take place throughout the season with a finals day for each age group in 2022.

Further details around Ulster’s hosting venues will be confirmed in due course.

Ulster U16 girls fixtures:

Sunday 14^th November Ulster v Connacht (Three Rock Rovers)

Sunday 12^th December Ulster v Leinster South (Three Rock Rovers)

Sunday 16^th January Ulster v Leinster (Ulster)

Sunday 6^th February Ulster v Munster (Three Rock Rovers)

Sunday 3^rd April Finals Day

Ulster U16 boys fixtures:

Sunday 7^th November Ulster v Munster (Three Rock Rovers)

Sunday 5^th December Ulster v Leinster (Ulster)

Sunday 27^th February Ulster v Munster (Three Rock Rovers)

Sunday 10^th April Ulster v Leinster (Three Rock Rovers)

Sunday 15^th May Finals Day

Note:

• 18 players will be selected from the panel for each Interpro game
• The same 18 players may not play every game
• Some players may not be selected for an Interpro game.
• Development games will also take place through the season.

Ulster U16 girls Head Coach Davy Menaul: ‘We are all really looking forward to our opening game next month. With the new interpro format it allows for more contact time with the athletes and we can select from a bigger squad. This group have dedicated themselves to our programme to date and I look forward to watching the group continuing to progress and reach their full potential.’

Ulster Talent Coach Shirley McCay: ‘I am delighted to see our panels confirmed after a period of development sessions since the middle of June. Since the UK Lions series both groups have shown commitment to training and their progression since then has been wonderful to see. It is especially pleasing for us to have 28 girls and 30 boys in our squads, with 23 of these players with another year at U16 age group in 2022-23. Development at this age group is key and working with a bigger group allows us to engage more players for a longer period of time. We have quality and depth in these groups, and it certainly bodes well for the future of our underage programmes. The new structure of the interpros means that we can select from a larger panel and the same squad does not have to play in every game. I am looking forward to the coming months and wish all the players and staff the best of luck.’