THREE Stratford Hockey Club players staked their claims for England call-ups – and a potential World Cup adventure in Australia – after lining up in a charity exhibition match.
Captain Ajan Reginald joined debutants Ben Lanoe and Matt Hyatt in an England Masters Select XI, selected by Reginald, to play the Hockey for Heroes representative team in Solihull.
The match, which England won 3-2, served a dual purpose – to mark the opening of a new clubhouse at Old Silhililians, named England Hockey’s club of the year, and to raise cash for Hockey for Heroes, which aims to bring in £30,000 for Help for Heroes.
It also allowed England Masters Over 40s manager Andy Taylor the chance to scout potential players.
Reginald has already been capped, having played when England were runners-up in this year’s Home Nations tournament in Scotland, but Lanoe and Hyatt were pulling on the England shirt for the first time.
Taylor said they would all figure in the trials for the World Cup next March.
“I was delighted to be asked to be involved in the game by Ajan,” he said. “I’d not had the opportunity to see Matt Hyatt or Ben Lanoe in action before, but they are certainly ones to watch for the future and will certainly be invited to future England selection camps.”
Reginald said: “We’re delighted to be able support this most worthy cause. It is always a great honour for us to represent England, but it’s especially poignant to do so in support of Help for Heroes and Hockey.
“I’m delighted Stratford HC could contribute with great debut performances from Ben and Matt.”
Lord Digby of Birmingham, the former UK Minister for Trade and Industry, also attended the event at Old Sils.
Stratford HC start their pre-season training in the next few weeks and their league campaign starts on October 3, away at Leicester.
