INTERNATIONAL ACTION FOR LEICESTER PLAYERS
The Champions Trophy in Sydney is just days away with matches from 11-19 July. England's young squad faces tough opposition playing Holland (11th July), Germany (12th), Argentina (15th), Australia (16th) and China (18th) before a classification match on the 19th. The squad features several players who have Leicester connections. Gemma Darrington and Katie Long are two of the squad's younger players at 22 and 21 respectively. Chloe Rogers and Kerry Williams are more seasoned players and they are joined by Beckie Herbert, returning to Leicester after a year in Holland with Kampong. Helen Richardson (ex Leicester) is one of the most experienced players with 104 England caps now.
Playing against the world's top sides will be a serious challenge for England but their drawn series with Germany recently gives grounds for some optimism. In all honesty, finishing above sixth place would be a massive step forward for this young and developing squad of players.
Two of Leicester's rising stars are also in international action. Jess Hickman is in Germany with England U16s for four Test matches. She recently returned from a weekend in Dublin when England shared the spoils with Ireland girls. Jess was on the mark in England's opener, a 3-1 win.
Holly Payne is in Nivelles, Belgium for the European Youth Championships. England play the hosts, France and Ireland in their group as they look to defend the title won two years ago. Holland, Germany, Lithuania and Russia form the other pool and England will be expecting to meet either the Dutch or the Germans if they fulfil potential and reach the semis.
All at the club congratulate our Leicester players on their selection for England and wish them and the England sides the very best of luck in their competitions.