England Hockey is delighted to announce that hockey fans will have the opportunity to watch England's men and women take on two of the world's strongest hockey playing nations in four matches at Highfields Sports Club, Nottingham, in June.
On Wednesday 10 and Friday 12 June, England men will take on the 2008 Olympic bronze medalists Australia as part of their ongoing preparations for the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam in August. The two evening matches will see England's men, currently ranked sixth in the world, pit themselves against the world number two Kookaburras, who had three athletes named in the Men's WorldHockey All Stars team in 2008.
England women will play Spain at the same venue on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June. England, ranked eighth in the world, will use the matches against the side ranked one place higher as part of their final preparations ahead of July's Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy 2009 in Sydney, Australia.
England Hockey Performance Director David Faulkner is looking forward to hosting such illustrious opponents, ÔÇ£We are delighted that such quality opposition are coming to our shores to play our international teams. We envisage these to be the first of a number of internationals to be played at home over the coming three years and these particular games being played at Highfields is an excellent curtain raiser to next year's Women's Champions Trophy.ÔÇØ
Highfields Sports Club is set to play a major role in both domestic and international hockey over the next 18 months, hosting the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy, Women, Nottingham 2010 as well as being the venue for the U16 and U18 girls Four Nations Invitational Tournament in April 2009 and the YAZOO National Youth Hockey Festival in May 2009.
The details of the England women's fixtures in Dublin in April have also now been confirmed. England will face Ireland in two matches at University College Dublin, the first at 15:00 on Friday 10 April and the second at 11:00 on Sunday 12 April.
Match schedule:
England (m) - Australia, Wednesday 10 June 2009, 19:30
England (m) - Australia, Friday 12 June 2009, 19:30
England (w) - Spain, Saturday 13 June 2009, 13:00
England (w) - Spain, Sunday 14 June 2009, 12:00
Source: England Hockey
