Meg Crowson in action for University of Exeter Women's Hockey 1st team
Triple selection success for UoE Women's Hockey players
Current University of Exeter students representing University of Exeter Women’s Hockey (EULHC) 1st team in BUCS Southern Premier and ISCA University in the Investec Conference West have been selected for the Great Britain Women’s Elite Development Programme.
Meg Crowson, Kate Axford and Katie Knight have all been selected onto the programme following trials in October. Sports Scholars Meg Crowson and Kate Axford both represented England U21 in the European Championships in the summer, coming away with the bronze medal, with Meg Crowson captaining the side. While goalkeeper Katie Knight makes the step up from England U18 last season.
The new GB Elite Development Programme aims to develop athletes who have the potential to be future Olympians in line with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle. 36 athletes have been selected, with the programme designed for athletes aged 19-23 years old. All athletes will be undertaking a new training and competition schedule in an elite training environment to support their development.
Reflecting on her selection Sports Scholar and 1st year Geography student Kate Axford commented “I’m really excited to have been given the opportunity to learn from and play alongside top quality and experienced players whilst also receiving excellent coaching in the GB Elite Development Programme”.
Sports Bursar and 1st year Modern Languages student Katie added “I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity to train as part of the GB Elite Development Programme. I'm excited to get started and looking forward to pushing myself really hard and seeing what I can achieve within hockey”.
Currently completing her final year of her Sports Science degree Meg Crowson added “Being selected for the GB Elite Development Programme will hopefully support me to make the step up to senior international hockey, which is my ultimate goal”.
All three athletes are currently supported at University of Exeter by the High Performance Programme, which provides a comprehensive support services package for student athletes to complement their sports specific training. High Performance Sport Manager Charlotte Hale explained “It’s a fantastic achievement to have three current students in the senior England Hockey set up and the girls should be very proud of their selection. With Exeter alumae (1st team captain and Sports Scholar) Kathryn Lane contracted full time with England Hockey it’s great to see Exeter so well represented at an elite level”.
Meg, Kate and Katie continue playing for EULHC 1st team and ISCA University and look forward to the GB Elite Development Programme induction camp which is being held in Lilleshall from 31st October-2nd November.
Date: 18 October 2017