CARO Hulme has been included in the Welsh squad for the forthcoming international hockey season.

The Oswestry raised player is one of a 26 strong squad announced by coach Kevin Johnson with the Welsh camp also including fellow Powys border raised player Phoebe Richards. 

Hulme hails from Bronygarth and is a former Ellesmere College student.

She plays for Nottingham-based side, Beeston in the England Women's Premier Hockey League.

Following the recent retirements of Leah Wilkinson and Sian French, Beth Bingham has been announced as the new captain and will lead the squad for the 2023 season.

Having equalled their best ever Commonwealth finish of eighth place at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, 14 of last summer’s selected team remain in the squad.

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The squad retains great experience with Sarah Jones, Phoebe Richards, Beth Bingham and Xenna Hughes possessing more 100 international caps for Wales.

Johnson said: “After a number of retirements or temporary step-aways from the programme, this is a group in transition and building towards the longer term and in particular the next Commonwealth Games in 2026.

"As a result, there is a fresh look to this squad selection and a promising balance of experience and youth but most importantly, potential to improve.

"There are 10 players in the panel of 26 who are aged 23 and under, which is a credit to all those who have been involved and invested in the development of our junior and sub-senior teams.

"We are looking forward to getting straight into the action at Easter with some training matches in Scotland as we build towards the Euros in July.”

The squad will travel to Edinburgh over the Easter weekend to face Scotland in a series of friendly matches before their tour to Uruguay in June to play in a tri-nations Test series against Uruguay and Chile.

The pinnacle of their season will see them compete in the second division European Championships in Prague this July with the aim of joining the men’s national side in Europe’s A division.

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