PUBLISHED 12 January 2022
AKS Year 11 Goalkeeper Anya is celebrating being selected as a member of the 2022 England U16 Hockey Squad after a long and extensive selection process that started in September and has involved numerous training/selection camps all over the country.
Having been selected for the squad last year Anya has not sat back on her laurels but has worked hard both on and off the pitch to improve both her fitness and her skills. Numerous technique sessions with AKS teacher and England GK Coach Kay Hanham have seen Anya refine her skills tremendously and these, along with her sessions in the gym have enabled her to develop into an outstanding young keeper and her selection is a reward for her hard work.
After a reduced International programme last year due to the pandemic, Anya can now look forward to a very full and exciting programme between now and the summer. Her first challenge will be in International matches against Ulster ( Ireland ) in February with a 5 Nations Tournament at Easter, training camps against Belgium and Scotland with the final tournament being an 8 Nations Tournament in Germany against the likes of Holland, Germany, and Spain in July.
Anya, as Captain of the AKS U16 side, has led her team superbly with some outstanding performances between the posts in the schools’ Cup games against Sedbergh and GSAL which has helped her team progress to the last 8 of the England Hockey National Schools Cup Competition. She now will lead the team in the next challenge of a quarter-final match at home against Repton School later in January.
Anya plays her club hockey at Fylde Hockey Club where she has secured a 1st team spot and again shown her promise with some outstanding performances.
Everyone at AKS congratulates Anya on this superb achievement and we wish her every success in the International Matches ahead of her.