Wednesday 14 July 2010

Tom Maher names Great Britain squad for Euros as Mason and Gandy miss cut

Great Britain women’s coach Tom Maher has named his final 12-strong squad for next month’s Eurobasket qualifiers, and it includes two players who weren’t even in the picture when training camp began.

Australian-born EBL player of the year Natalie Stafford of Barking Abbey is in the line-up along with Canadian-born guard Rachael Vanderwal, a former Boston University standout who currently features for Irish Superleague outfit, Limerick.

Veteran duo Ros Mason and Stephanie Gandy have been cut from the GB side while Lisa Hutchinson and Meagan Hoffman have been named as reserves.

“It has been extremely difficult to select the final 14 players who will see us through the test games against Portugal, Belgium, Holland and Israel and the EuroBasket qualifying campaign," said Maher.

“I would like to thank Rosalee and Stephanie for their commitment to the GB cause this summer, but a couple of players had to miss out. We think we have selected a balanced roster in terms of experience and youth whilst also ensuring we have good cover in all positions.

“We welcome Natalie and Rachael to the Standard Life GB team. They have been on our radar for a while and we feel now is the correct time to introduce them to the roster.”

Maher’s side host Portugal in Surrey in friendlies this Saturday and Sunday.

Standard Life GB squad: Anderson, Butler, Clayden, Collins, Handy, Leedham, McKay, Page, Stafford, Stewart, Wade-Frey, Vanderwal. Reserves: Hutchinson, Hoffman

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