U21 squads announced ahead of EuroHockey Championships

England Hockey has announced the men’s and women’s squads selected to compete at the EuroHockey U21 Championships which runs from 26 July to 1 August 2026 in Valencia, Spain.

The tournament will see both England teams competing against some of the continent’s strongest emerging talent as they continue their development on the international stage.

Valencia will host both the men’s and women’s competitions, with England’s men drawn alongside Spain, the Netherlands and Austria in Pool B, while England’s women will face Scotland, the Netherlands and Spain in Pool B.

In the women’s team, Freya Robinson, Sienna Dunn, Monica Watkins, Sofia Martin, Olivia Breed and Josie Hippe lead the team which features a number of experienced players including 12 of the players that competed at the Junior World Cup at the end of 2025.

Caspar Lea has been named as captain for the men’s squad for the first time at a major international tournament. He is joined by James Carleton, Johnny Sturch-Hibbitt and Mikey Royden-Turner have all gained valuable senior international experience over the past 18 months, while several members of the group return having represented England at the FIH Junior World Cup at the end of 2025.

Mark Bateman, Men’s U21 Head Coach, said: “The U21 European Championships provide an incredibly tough and demanding tournament for the next generation of England athletes to compete against the very best in Europe.

“Following an intense four-month preparation period, we have selected a squad that offers an excellent balance of quality, character and potential. The players have worked exceptionally hard to earn this opportunity, and we are excited to see them test themselves in a true best-versus-best environment.

“The tournament represents another important step in the development of these athletes as we continue to build for the future. Our focus is on executing our game, playing with courage and conviction, while consistently performing to the standards we expect of an England team.

“We are looking forward to the challenge ahead and to representing England with pride, togetherness and ambition throughout the competition.”

Simon Letchford, Women’s U21 Head Coach, said: “I am delighted to announce the squad for the upcoming EuroHockey U21 Championships in Valencia later this month and excited by the opportunities that competing against the Europe's strongest hockey nations will offer. 

“With 12 of the 18 selected athletes having gained valuable experience at the Junior World Cup in Chile last year, the squad can boost a good amount of amount of experience for a pathway side. Alongside that, it is exceptionally rewarding to offer exposure, stretch and challenge to players yet to experience tournament hockey at this level.

“Recognising that a pool consisting of Scotland, Spain and the Netherlands will offer a stern test, the aims of the group will be to do all that we can, on a game by game basis, to give ourselves the best possible opportunity of success. This ambition is matched by the desire to  develop individual athletes to the point where they compete for places in senior England and Great Britain squads capable of taking the game forwards in the coming years.” 

England Women's squad: 

England Men's squad: 

Tournament Fixtures

England U21 Men: England open their campaign against hosts Spain on 26 July, followed by pool matches against Austria and the Netherlands.

England U21 Women: England begin against Scotland on 26 July, before pool fixtures against the Netherlands and Spain.

Semi-finals and classification matches are scheduled for 31 July, with medal matches and finals taking place on 1 August.