23/09/2026
⭐England Under-17 2026/27 Training Squads⭐
UNDER 17 SELECTION: A NEW APPROACH
With the announcement of this season’s England Under-17 Training Squads, we’re also introducing a change to the way the selection pathway will work.
We spoke to England National Teams & Coaching Director, Arran Bowyer, about why the process is changing and what it means for players.
**Why have we changed the Under 17 selection process this season?**
Arran Bowyer: In previous seasons we have had a number of selection stages, moving from a larger training squad through reduced squads before eventually reaching the final team. While that process gives coaches plenty of opportunity to assess players, it can also make for a long and stressful period for the athletes.
This season we want to take a more focused approach from the outset.
**What does that mean for the players selected?**
AB: The aim is to give the coaches and players more time together as a group. With smaller training squads, we can spend more time on technical development, team structure and understanding between players on the rink.
We want to use the training time to actually build a team, rather than spending a large proportion of the season continually selecting one.
**Does being selected in the Training Squad mean the final team has already been decided?**
AB: No. Selection remains an ongoing process throughout the season. The Training Squad gives us the group we want to work with, but circumstances can change. Injury, availability, development and other factors can all mean that changes are necessary.
**And what about players who aren't selected?**
Not being selected for the Training Squad doesn't mean a player's England opportunity is over. We will retain players on standby and continue to monitor them throughout the season.
If circumstances change, players can be brought into the programme. The door remains open.
**What do you hope this new approach will achieve?**
Ultimately, we want to give our Under 17 players the best possible environment to develop and prepare for representing England.
The less time we spend moving through multiple selection stages, the more time we can spend coaching, developing and building a team that understands how we want to play.
We know selection is never easy, but hopefully this approach gives the players greater clarity and gives the coaches more time to do what they are there to do — coach.
England U17 Female Training Squad
Head Coach - Amelia Thomas
Manager Lucy Rawlinson
Eva Beresford - ECU RHC
Annabel Page - Farnham RHC
Lilly Brindley - Skaters RHC
Alba Suárez - Farnham RHC
Sasha Jamieson - Letchworth RHC
Olivia Oxborough - King's Lynn RHC
Sophia Harbisher - Middlesbrough RHC
Lauren Russell - Skaters RHC
Sophie French - Letchworth RHC
Leah Micklethwaite - Sheffield Wildcats RHC
Erin Edwards - ECU RHC
Penelope Beresford - ECU RHC
Lois Bradshaw - Farnham RHC
Isla Procter - Grimsby RHC
Grace Davey - King's Lynn RHC
Pearl Mbanefo-Meneghetti - ECU RHC
Niah Adams - Soham RHC
England U17 Male Training Squad
Head Coach - Karl Smith
Manager Andrew French
Riki Darbyshire - C.E. Noia - Spain
Presley Worsley - Manchester RHC
Duleep Gosal - ECU RHC
Jack Dalton - Soham RHC
Oliver Mason - Soham RHC
Zac Smith - Herne Bay United RH&SC
Cole Easter - King's Lynn RHC
Ethan Smith - Herne Bay United RH&SC
Kristian Hanzlik - Soham RHC
Max Sennitt - ECU RHC
Jack Caseley - Skaters RHC
Baptiste Campos - Letchworth RHC
Daniel Thorogood - Letchworth RHC
Romero Barlow - Manchester RHC
William Drury - Grimsby RHC
Jack Frith - Sheffield Wildcats RHC
Jack Bonnington - Letchworth RHC
Reggie Fox - Soham RHC
You can track their progress on each team's dedicated pages
https://www.englandrollerhockey.org/england-under-17-female
https://www.englandrollerhockey.org/england-under-17-male
Everyone at ERH would like to congratulate all of the players selected and thank everyone who took part in the assessment process. We look forward to seeing these squads develop throughout the season and continuing to build towards representing England.
