Vitor Pereira, the head coach of the England Roller Hockey Senior Team, has finalized the squad that will represent the nation in the upcoming European Championships. The tournament is scheduled to take place in D'Anoia, Barcelona, Spain, from July 16th to 22nd, 2023. While the team selection process was challenging due to the non-professional nature of English hockey and the limited time available for preparation, Pereira and his coaching staff diligently evaluated various factors to form a competitive squad.
Vitor Pererira
Team Selection: Pereira has assembled a talented group of players who have demonstrated their abilities both domestically and internationally. Unfortunately, two notable players will be absent from the squad. Alex Mount, who had an impressive season in Italy with 25 goals in 32 games, will be missing from the team. Additionally, Scott Neville, the captain of Soham, will also be a significant loss for England.
Goalkeepers:
Thomas Allander - Kings Lynn RHC
William Martin - Club Pati Congres, Spain
Floor Players:
Cole O'Donovan - ADS, Portugal
Jack Tucker - Kings Lynn RHC
Jamie Griffin - Kings Lynn RHC
Josh Taylor - Kings Lynn RHC
Matthew Baker - Termas HC, Portugal
Owen Norris - Kings Lynn RHC
Ryan Barnes - Kings Lynn RHC
Sam Kay - Andorra HC
Team Management: The coaching and managerial staff responsible for guiding the team to success are:
Vitor Pereira: Head Coach, Senior Male
Jason Oldroyd: Team Manager
Coach's Perspective: Vitor Pereira reflects on the challenges faced during the team selection process, considering the non-professional status of English hockey and the limited time available for preparation. Pereira emphasizes the importance of evaluating various factors, such as player dynamics, teamwork, positions, technical proficiency, tactical understanding, and dedication to the game. The coach acknowledges the efforts made to assemble the team, despite the challenges, and expresses the desire to continually improve.
Looking Ahead: Pereira acknowledges the potential for future options and the scope for growth within English roller hockey. He encourages those who were not included in the current squad to continue working on their skills and development, with the aim of becoming viable options for the future