New Era for Great Britain’s Women’s Hockey as the Road to Paris begins

David Ralph takes charge of his first game with Great Britain as they kick off their 2022/2023 FIH Pro League Campaign against 2021/2022 runners-up Netherlands.

This game pits the 2020 Olympic bronze medalists against the champions from Tokyo in a re-run of the semi-final demolition that saw GB lose by five goals to one.

After Team GB’s historic 2016 Olympic gold, the Dutch put the defence to an abrupt end after racing to a four goal lead with goals from Felice Albers (x2), Marloes Keetels, Maria Verschoor. Giselle Ansley scored what was merely a consolation before Frederique Matla put the icing on the cake.

After a temporary switch back to the divided home nations, Team GB is back in the Pro League fold. As a unified team, Britain finished second in 2020/2021 behind none other than the most successful team in World Cup history, the Netherlands.

Four debutants have been included in the GB squad, including the Scottish pair of Fiona Burnet and Jen Eadie. Commonwealth Gold medalist with England Flora Peel also makes her GB debut.

Victory would equate to the first British triumph over the Dutch since 2016.

Meanwhile, the Dutch will now look to regain their Pro League crown they last won in 2020/2021, to add to their nine World Cup and Olympic accolades making them the most decorated side in world hockey.

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