Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Balsdon recalled to GB programme
Canterbury ladies
Grace Balsdon could not hide her excitement after being confirmed as one of 33 players on the GB Hockey centralised programme in the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Canterbury Ladies club captain was drafted in during the previous cycle but was not among the 19 players who won gold in Rio in August. The 23-year-old is one of 18 players returning to the group and is joined by Canterbury star Susannah Townsend, one of the 12 gold medallists aiming for another Games, despite her currently being sidelined after knee surgery. Balsdon told fans on instagram: “(I’m) so excited to be named in the Great Britain Centralised squad. A great four years ahead, especially with a home World Cup in 2018, building to defend the gold in Tokyo 2020.” Head coach Danny Kerry said: “We have, I feel, a good depth of skilful, committed, smart and athletic athletes who are eager to learn, develop and build on the legacy and momentum of the Rio Olympic cycle. “We have also retained an excellent core from the previous cycle, who no doubt will play a key role in passing on the values and behaviours that drive performance.”
Canterbury 3rds recorded an important win to climb away from the foot of Kent League, Premier Division. In one of just two games to beat the weather on Saturday, the city club travelled to Cliftonville and took the lead through Sue Spight. A penalty stroke was missed but Mel Lea combined with Alice Dunn for the youngster to volley home the second. Ville replied with a goal before the break and piled on the pressure in the second half but it was the visitors who rode the storm and added a third late on to move within five points of the top half. The under-10 girls made light of a chilly Sunday morning by putting on a good all-round performance away at Herne Bay.