Danielle named in England Academy intake

Western Storm’s Danielle Gibson has been named in the England Academy intake for 2018 with a new structure in place.

Previously the England Women’s Senior Academy (EWSA) was combined with the England Women’s Academy (EWA) but from now on only one squad has been named, known as the England Women’s Academy.

The purpose of the EWA remains to provide an individualised programme for players and offer support specific to their needs to maximise the chances of transition to the senior squad in the future.

In addition to EWA, 12 other players have been named in a Winter Training Squad. The Winter Training Squad is in place to offer support for players who are currently seen as having the potential to be part of the EWA in the future.

Ellie Mitchell, who is part of the South West Development Squad and joined the Storm as a rookie for five days this summer, has also been named in the Academy.

Nat Wraith, another South West Development Squad member, has also been named in the Training Squad.

High Performance Manager for Women and Girls, Jonathan Finch, said: “Our slight structure change gives us a core group of 24 players who will be involved over the winter and will attend training when it is most appropriate for their development.

“Operating in this way allows us to work more effectively across skill specific disciplines, develop key themes across the winter and raise awareness amongst players about what is required to progress or continue to improve.

“We think it’s a really exciting group with a lot of talent and we hope to help take them on to the next level over the next 12 months.”

England Women’s Academy

Lauren Bell (Berkshire)

Hollie Armitage (Yorkshire)

Georgia Boyce (Nottinghamshire)

Emma Lamb (Lancashire)

Charlie Dean (Hampshire)

Sophia Dunkley (Surrey)

Danielle Gibson (Gloucestershire)

Mady Villiers (Essex)

Kirstie Gordon (Nottinghamshire)

Ellie Mitchell (Cornwall)

Amy Gordon (Surrey)

Ella McCaughan (Sussex)

Training Squad

Eva Gray (Surrey)

Maia Bouchier (Middlesex)

Bess Heath (Derbyshire)

Sarah Glenn (Derbyshire)

Rhianna Southby (Surrey)

Issy Wong (Warwickshire)

Nat Wraith (Gloucestershire)

Leah Dobson (Yorkshire)

Ria Fackrell (Warwickshire)

Georgia Draper (Yorkshire)

Lucia Kendall (Hampshire)

Alice Capsey (Surrey)

Helen Fenby (Durham)