Four Oaklands Wolves Academy Players Earn Selection for AOC England Colleges Hockey Squads

Eight athletes from our Hockey Academy headed to Worcester’s International Hockey Centre on the 14th of November to trial for the AOC England Colleges national squads and four of them have earned their place on next year’s teams.

The trials brought together top student-athletes from across the country, each nominated by their coaches for a chance to compete at national level. Only 23 players are selected for each squad, making the standard of competition exceptionally high.

Challenging weather added an extra layer of difficulty, with cold winds sweeping across the pitch throughout the day. Head Coach Simon Archer noted that “the standards were also really high this year,” making the achievements of our students even more impressive.

From the eight academy nominees, Milo Sharland, William Fretwell, Addison Scott, Charlotte Wagg, Lucian Barnett, Ella Major, Callum Ritchie and Thalia Kasiera, four have been selected: three for the men’s squad and one for the women’s squad. These athletes return after representing England Colleges last season, and they will compete in a series of fixtures alongside their academy commitments.

It was also a standout day for Head Coach Simon Archer as he was appointed as Head Coach for the England Colleges U19 Girls for the fourth consecutive year.

For some students, this was their very first year competing at academy level, marking the occasion as an especially significant milestone. Simon Archer added that he is “super proud of the level they produced.”