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LOUISE CORKILL DELIGHTED TO EARN FIRST ENGLAND CAP
England Under 21 Test Series against Germany for Manx hockey player
The long awaited news came after months of England trials and assessments for Leeds University student Louise Corkill, who has been named in the England Under 21 squad to face Germany from 16th – 20th May at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.
Louise is in her final year at University, and only heard news of her selection on Wednesday, which will mean her first England cap falls on the same weekend as her 21st birthday!
She started playing hockey at the age of 5 following the family tradition, and has fond memories of playing at the Manx Youth Games. Louise was selected to join the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme last summer, and was delighted to meet Alex Danson, Olympic Bronze medallist at the launch at the National Sports Centre in October. Louise has also been supported by Isle of Man Sport Aid for the past three years, which has helped towards the significant costs of her travel to training and competitions, sports equipment and clothing.
With the added inspiration of watching the Olympic hockey semi-finals and finals at London 2012, the months of hard work have really paid off, after Louise was put forward for England Under 21 trials by her University coach in November. She attended the first trials in February followed by a series of continuous assessments over the past three months. The England squad will finally be reduced to a group of 20 after the Test series, for the Junior World Cup from 27 July until 4 August.
Louise said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I have got this far, I’m really excited to play in the Test matches. It has been a really big step up for me, moving from regional hockey to the England Under 21 squad. I’m really looking forward to playing, and unfortunately putting off my birthday celebrations until a bit later, as I have my final exams just after the test series!”
“I’m just taking it a step at a time, I haven’t been thinking too far ahead. I have been checking my emails all the time, as final selections after each assessment are confirmed by email, which is quite nerve-wracking!”
Alex Danson, top goal scorer at the London 2012 Olympics, who led a short training session for the hockey players on the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme in October added:
“I’m really pleased for Louise, she should be so proud to be one of the only players to make the squad for the test series, after starting the original trials back in February. We only met briefly when I came over as part of the Kelly Holmes Education team, but hopefully I gave Louise a few tips that
helped. I wish Louise all the best for the test series, I remember my first cap very well and it will be a very special moment for Louise and her family!”
The next workshop day for the Isle of Man Sporting Excellence Programme takes place on Saturday 15 June. It is sponsored by Creechurch Capital, Microgaming and SMP Partners and brings together Isle of Man Sport, the Isle of Man Coaches Association and the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association.
