Rio hockey star's double gold goal

GOLDEN girl . . . Nicola White

OLDHAM'S Rio hero Nicola White intends to go for gold again in Tokyo 2020 after being named in the 33-woman squad that will lead England and Great Britain into the next Olympic cycle.

Twelve of the gold medal-winning squad remain in coach Danny Kerry's group, but he is seeking Britain's first new captain in 13 years following the international retirement of Kate Richardson-Walsh.

Crista Cullen, Hannah Macleod, Sam Quek, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Georgie Twigg are also absent, having retired or taken breaks from the sport.

However, Holcombe forward White, who turns 29 on Friday, remains in contention and will hope to help defend the dream hockey title in three year's time in Japan.

She told the Chronicle: "I am delighted to have been named in the Tokyo 2020 training programme and I am excited to continue building on the success we found in Rio 2016.

Proud

"It is sad to see the back of that golden success last year and there have been a handful of retirements, but I am so proud to have been a part of that cycle with some incredible team-mates who I loved playing alongside and who I learned so much from on and off the pitch.

"However, it is onwards and upwards and Tokyo is now the vision. This will be my third Olympic cycle and so I will look to bring my experiences and knowledge to some of the newer members and also continue to develop myself into the best athlete I can be. There is always another level to aim for and I will be pushing myself physically and mentally to challenge my boundaries.

"Thanks to Investec, National Lottery and UK Sport for their continued support with our GB programme. Their funding and support allows us to dedicate ourselves solely to hockey and to pursue the dreams we have of winning gold after gold!"

Fifteen new players have been named in the 33-woman squad, but other Rio stars continuing are Giselle Ansley (Surbiton), Sophie Bray (SC Kampong), Alex Danson (Clifton Robinsons), Shona McCallin (Holcombe), Lily Owsley (University of Birmingham), Susannah Townsend (La Gantoise) and Laura Unsworth (East Grinstead).

Joie Leigh (Clifton Robinsons) and Ellie Watton (Holcombe) were reserves in Rio and have also been named.

The group will be preparing for a home World Cup in 2018 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with the first game when England host Holland at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on June 11.

Kerry said: "With a home World Cup for England on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2018, and the prospect of GB defending an Olympic title in Tokyo 2020 the challenges of this cycle are as clear, significant and exciting as ever.

"I believe this new squad has what it takes to shine again and continue to inspire future generations to play our sport."