Seven England players in LGU squad
11 October 2005
Seven top England players have been picked for the LGU’s 16-strong 2005/06 training squad, which will form the nucleus of next year’s Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team.
They are: Emma Duggleby (Malton & Norton), Naomi Edwards (Ganton), Felicity Johnson (Harborne), Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall), Melissa
Reid (Chevin), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) and Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park).
The seven reflect the squad’s blend of youth and experience and range from 16-year-old Kiran Matharu, who has just made her debut as a full England international, to Emma Duggleby, 33, who has a CV packed with titles and has played in three Curtis Cup teams.
They have all contributed to a sensational 2005 season in which England won the European Girls’ Team Championship, took the silver medal in the ladies event, won the Home Internationals and won the Girls’ International matches.
These and other achievements were a triumph for ELGA’s Sport England lottery-funded World Class training programme.
Felicity Johnson, Kerry Smith and Sophie Walker were also on top form for Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy victory over Europe. They made up one-third of the team and contributed almost two-thirds of the points.
On the individual front, Felicity Johnson became one of the youngest-ever English champions while Melissa Reid successfully defended her title as English girls’ champion and Naomi Edwards won the English Mid-Amateur Championship.
An eighth England player, Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale), is one of four reserves for the LGU’s training squad. The 16-year-old reached the semi-finals of the British girls’ championship and, with Melissa Reid, played in Europe’s Junior Solheim Cup team.
The LGU squad will meet for training weekends throughout the winter and spring in preparation for next year’s Curtis Cup matches at Bandon Dunes, in Oregon, USA.
Ada O’Sullivan, who will again captain the team, said: "The selectors have had a difficult job in keeping the squad to 16, such is the talent in GB&I, and while it will be tough work for all involved, the desire to be in the winning 2006 Curtis Cup team will have just reward."
The full squad is:
Claire Coughlan (Cork)
Emma Duggleby (Malton &Norton)
Naomi Edwards (Ganton)
Stephanie Evans (Vale of Llangollen)
Martina Gillen (Beaverstown)
Felicity Johnson (Harborne)
Anne Laing (Vale of Leven)
Breanne Loucks (Wrexham)
Tricia Mangan (Ennis)
Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall)
Clare Queen (Drumpellier)
Melissa Reid (Chevin)
Kerry Smith (Waterlooville)
Sophie Walker (Kenwick Park)
Kylie Walker (Stirling University)
Jenna Wilson (Strathaven)
Reserves in order:
Krystle Caithness (St Regulus)
Sahra Hassan (Vale of Glamorgan)
Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale)
Maura Morrin (Curragh).
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