India Junior women's hockey team set for exposure tour of United Kingdom under new coach Tim White
New Delhi, June 17
The Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team will embark on an exposure tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to July 14, where they will play seven matches against Scotland Senior Women, England U-21, United States U-21 and Belgium U-21.
The tour will be the team's first major international assignment under the newly appointed Coach Tim White and forms an important part of the squad's preparations for future international competitions.
The Indian team will begin the tour in Edinburgh, Scotland, with two matches against the Scotland Senior Women's team at the Peffermill Playing Fields, University of Edinburgh, on July 5 and July 6.
The team will then travel to Lilleshall, England, where it will play five matches at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre.
India will face the United States U-21 on July 8 and July 11, while taking on England U-21 on July 9 and July 12. The tour will conclude with a match against Belgium U-21 on July 14.
Tour Schedule:
July 5 - India U-21 vs Scotland Senior Women (Edinburgh) July 6 - India U-21 vs Scotland Senior Women (Edinburgh) July 8 - India U-21 vs United States U-21 (Lilleshall) July 9 - India U-21 vs England U-21 (Lilleshall) July 11- India U-21 vs United States U-21 (Lilleshall) July 12- India U-21 vs England U-21 (Lilleshall) July 14- India U-21 vs Belgium U-21 (Lilleshall)
Speaking about the tour, Coach Tim White said, "This tour presents a valuable opportunity for our players to gain exposure against quality international opposition and experience different styles of hockey. Matches against world-class junior programmes as well as Scotland's senior side will provide an excellent platform for learning and growth."
He added, "As a group, we are focused on continuing the development of the players and strengthening the foundations required to compete consistently at the highest level. Tours like these are vital in helping young athletes adapt to international standards, build confidence and develop their understanding of the game in challenging environments."
White further stated, "The objective is always to achieve strong performances but more importantly this tour will provide an opportunity for our group to understand where our strengths are as a team and areas of our game which require the most attention to keep improving. It will also allow players to gain the experience necessary for future transitions to the senior national team. We are looking forward to a productive tour and making the most of every match."
The exposure tour is part of Hockey India's continued efforts to provide emerging talent with regular international competition and accelerate their development through high-quality overseas assignments.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice to see Hockey India investing in junior development. But we need more such tours throughout the year - not just one-off trips. These girls need consistent international competition to grow. Hope the coach utilizes this opportunity well.
Finally some good news for women's hockey! Our junior team has talent but lacks match practice abroad. Tim White seems to have the right mindset - focusing on learning and development rather than just results. The Scotland matches will be tough but that's exactly what they need. All the best, girls! ✨
Great initiative. The tour schedule looks challenging with matches against England U-21, US U-21, and Belgium U-21. Playing Scotland's senior team will also be a good learning experience. Hope the girls take maximum benefit from this exposure.
Good planning by Hockey India. But I hope the focus isn't just on results - it's about exposure and learning. These girls need to understand international standards. The coach's comments about building foundations and understanding strengths/weaknesses are spot on. Let's support them! 👏
This is exactly what our junior hockey needs - more international tours. The team will gain invaluable experience playing against different playing styles. The Scotland senior matches especially will test their defensive skills. Let's hope this becomes a regular feature.
V Varun X