By David Williams
Wales Men’s field Hockey team head to the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup for a first time in their sporting history.
They will compete against England, Spain and hosts India. Games will take place from January 13-19, 2023, at two venues Bhubaneswar (Pronounced boo-ba-nuh-shwaa) and Rourkela, India.
Wales are one of the 16 teams qualify to participate in the FIH Hockey World Cup, The biggest prize and alongside the Olympics.
Jacob Draper and co-captain Rupert Shipperley re-join the squad following appearances for team GB in the FIH Pro League against Argentina and the Netherlands where strong performances see the team top of the table at this early stage of the season.
Hockey Wales Senior Men Side are undertaking their final competitive preparations in Cadiz before final squad selection for the World Cup in January.
Games in Cadiz are non-capped training matches. Follow Wales matches on the 16th and 18th December here. https://t.co/bVmPjgP9y9 pic.twitter.com/TBtCylnfGO— Hoci Cymru (@HockeyWales) December 15, 2022
The team will once again use their trusted method of naming a captainship trio with Luke Hawker, Wales’ most capped male athlete Lewis Prosser and Rupert Shipperley
Head Coach, Danny Newcombe said: “Our squad has improved dramatically across the two weeks.
“Our recent preparation tournament in Cadiz provided us with the best possible preparation as we know that nothing replicates playing against the top teams in the world.
“Whilst incredibly challenging, the game play was essential for us to be ready to perform in India.
https://twitter.com/GBHockey/status/1604732009800093698
“Selection for this tournament has been an incredibly tough task. It is a testament to the quality of our squad that we are in a position where we must leave incredibly experienced and talented international players back in the UK.
Hockey Wales wants to build on the momentum from the Football World Cup and ensure Wales remains a strong figure on the global stage.
“I know this squad will carry the responsibility of playing for their nation with great belief, passion and pride at a level that only a team from Wales can,” Newcombe added.
“India presents us with our first opportunity to play in the FIH Hockey World Cup in our history. It is the highest level of competition that we as a nation can compete at and I am excited for us to take our place on the biggest stage.”
World Cup prep ☑️🏴 pic.twitter.com/izWW6zopwO
— Lewis Prosser (@LewisProsser) December 21, 2022
Squad for FIH Men’s World Cup 2023
GK’s: Toby Reynolds-Cotterill (Hampstead & Westminster), Rhys Payne (Cardiff & Met).
Def: Gareth Furlong (Surbiton), Daniel Kyriakides (Cardiff & Met), Hywel Jones (Hampstead & Westminster), Ioan Wall (Cardiff & Met), Steve Kelly (Hampstead & Westminster).
SC: Lewis Prosser © (East Grinstead), Dale Hutchinson (Hampstead & Westminster), Jacob Draper (Hampstead & Westminster).
MID/FWD: Gareth Griffiths (Beeston), Rhys Bradshaw (Wimbledon), Rupert Shipperley © (Hampstead & Westminster), Fred Newbold (Reading).
FWD: Ben Francis (Wimbledon), Luke Hawker © (Cardiff & Met), James Carson (Old Georgians), Jack Pritchard (Cardiff & Met).
TRAVELLING RESERVES: Rhodri Furlong (Holcombe), Jolyon Morgan (Hampstead & Westminster).