Men’s EuroHockey U21 Championship preview – England
Appearances: 19
Best performances: 2nd (1988, 1998, 2019)
Caspar Lea has been named as England’s Under-21 men’s captain for the first time at a major international tournament as they return to the scene of their last medal at this level.
They picked up silver in 2019 in Valencia with a star-studded line-up which featured Zach Wallace, Ollie Payne, James Mazarelo, Nick Park and Stu Rushmere.
This year’s vintage is looking to make their mark with Lea joined by James Carleton, Johnny Sturch-Hibbitt and Mikey Royden-Turner who have all gained valuable senior international experience over the past 18 months.
Royden-Turner debuted in the Pro League against India in June while Sturch-Hibbitt has three caps from February 2025; Carleton was in the England squad in Mönchengladbach for the EuroHockey Championship, coming on in their 7-0 win over Austria.
Kaden Draysey was a star man at the Junior World Cup (where they finished ninth), netting nine times in six games – all from set pieces – and has 19 goals in 18 Under-21 internationals with England and Great Britain.
They are among nine members of the group who return having represented England at the FIH Junior World Cup at the end of 2025.
** 24 EuroHockey U21 Championship matches from Pitch 1 in Valencia will be broadcast live on www.eurohockeytv.org with an €8.99 event pass (Click the graphic for more information)
Mark Bateman, Men’s U21 Head Coach, said: “The EuroHockey U21 Championships provide an incredibly tough and demanding tournament for the next generation of England athletes to compete against the very best in Europe.
“Following an intense four-month preparation period, we have selected a squad that offers an excellent balance of quality, character and potential.
“The players have worked exceptionally hard to earn this opportunity and we are excited to see them test themselves in a true best-versus-best environment.
“The tournament represents another important step in the development of these athletes as we continue to build for the future. Our focus is on executing our game, playing with courage and conviction, while consistently performing to the standards we expect of an England team.
“We are looking forward to the challenge ahead and to representing England with pride, togetherness and ambition throughout the competition.”
The panel draws heavily on players from university clubs with four hailing from Exeter, three from Loughborough and two each from Nottingham and Birmingham.
| # | Name | Caps | Goals | Goals |
| 3 | Freddie Davies | 0 | 0 | Brooklands MU |
| 4 | Olly Bennett | 11 | 1 | Whitgift School / Oxted |
| 5 | Kaden Draysey | 18 (ENG 6, GBR 12) | 19 | University of Exeter |
| 6 | Thomas Spreckley | 30 (ENG 13, GBR 17) | 0 | Loughborough University |
| 7 | Caspar Lea (C) | 18 (ENG 6, GBR 12) | 1 | University of Birmingham |
| 8 | Oliver Stone | 0 | 0 | University of Nottingham |
| 9 | Harrison Stone | 38 (ENG 15, GBR 23) | 4 | Beeston |
| 10 | Michael Royden | 18 (ENG 6, GBR 12) | 9 | Holcombe |
| 11 | Jack Stamp | 8 (ENG 2, GBR 6) | 0 | University of Birmingham |
| 12 | Monty Neave | 27 (ENG 10, GBR 17) | 2 | Loughborough University |
| 14 | Samuel Dowds | 0 | 0 | Loughborough University |
| 15 | Jonny Sturch-Hibbitt | 22 (ENG 11, GBR 11) | 3 | Wimbledon |
| 18 | Toby Day | 0 | 0 | University of Exeter |
| 21 | Harry Grinham | 0 | 0 | University of Exeter |
| 22 | Jack Webb | 0 | 0 | University of Nottingham |
| 23 | Rory Mylroi (GK) | 0 | 0 | Surbiton |
| 24 | Benjamin Walker | 0 | 0 | THC Hurley |
| 26 | James Carleton (GK) | 28 (ENG 11, GBR 17) | 0 | University of Exeter |
| Heather Williams | Team Leader | |||
| Alistair Younger | Team Manager | |||
| Mark Bateman | Head Coach | |||
| Jerome Goudie | Assistant Coach | |||
| Barry Middleton | Assistant Coach | |||
| James Clapp | Physiotherapist | |||
| Peter Mulford | Video Technician | |||
