Six Welsh hockey players have forced their way into the Great Britain Elite Development Programme squads for the 2018/19 season as the countdown to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gathers pace.

Rhys Bradshaw, the talented Cardiff & Met teenager who has already made his mark in the senior Welsh men’s team, is included for the first time in the 32-strong men’s squad alongside clubmates Jacob Draper and Ioan Wall.

The Welsh women’s trio are led by double Commonwealth Games representative Eloise Laity, of Buckingham. She is joined by Beth Bingham (Holcombe) and Caroline Hulme (Nottingham Trent University & Beeston) in the 28-strong women’s squad.

Launched last season, the programme is aimed at accelerating the development of future medal winning Olympians.

Three members of last year’s men’s squad – Rhys Smith, Jack Waller and Zach Wallace – all made their senior international debuts in the recent Anniversary International in partnership.

All the Home Nations are represented in both the men’s and women’s squads. The programme is designed for athletes aged between 19-23 who may have the potential to become Olympic medallists.

Paul Revington will once again take charge of the Women’s squad, while Jon Bleby will be Head Coach of the men’s team.

Great Britain Hockey Men’s EDP Squad
Rhys Bradshaw (Cardiff & Met), Jacob Draper (Cardiff & Met), Ioan Wall (Cardiff & Met & Swansea University)
* Callum Mackenzie (Cardiff & Met / Nottingham Trent University / Scotland)

Women’s EDP Squad
Beth Bingham (Holcombe), Caroline Hulme (Nottingham Trent University & Beeston), Eloise Laity (Buckingham)