With a rundown of the men's finally up, it would seem worth doing the same for the females of the species who are also competing in Glasgow at the moment. There are quite a few unheralded goalkeepers who are sure to make the most of this experience in making a name for themselves and providing further reason to select them for future competitions, whilst others will use it more like a training camp to gain caps. So here are the goalkeepers on show right now:
- Bianca Russell (New Zealand)
Bianca is probably the most experienced goalkeeper of all those competing in the women's division. The 'wise old owl of the group' with Olympic experience (Hinch has that too obviously!), but also in age, maturity and decision making. This will surely aid in New Zealand's ambitions of coming home with silverware (or gold for that matter!) and will provide dressing room presence too.
- Maddie Hinch (England)
Beth Storry was the goalkeeper in goal for England in the London Olympics, helping them to a Bronze medal, and when Hinch finally got the chance to step up, she started off a little shaky, but managed to grow in confidence and ability, most notably in her shootout heroics at the World Cup. However, just like Pinner (who is replicating the same transfer move), dropped down a level to play as a pro player (effectively) at Holcombe. This change in pace and ability is surely not enough , and whereas Storry went to Holland to grow as a player and person, Hinch is affecting her development; in the long run I can't see this being a good idea...
- Rachael Lynch (Australia)
Another goalkeeper taking over from a well established and famous goalkeeper in Toni Cronk, Rachael is more than capable stepping up to the mark. Having been involved in various training and selection camps, she will no doubt be chomping at the bit to make an impression. Just as Charter will be expected to help out Australia when needed (expected to romp home here, after all they are World no 1!), so too will Lynch be expected to take the Hockeyroos to the final, although will probably be called upon more regularly than her male counterpart.
- Amy Gibson (Scotland)
As she started in goal at the European Championships, Amy got off to a slow start in front of a home crowd. So she will be sure to be wanting to re right that impression that was made in those games. But she is young and needs this kind of experience to be able to develop properly into a strong and able goalkeeper. I expect her to have a stronger outing and to work on those annoying little mistakes that affected her team and her confidence.
- Farah Ayuni Yahya (Malaysia)
Farah will be fun to watch in this tournament, for observers, given her playing style. A shorter goalkeeper, she makes up for this more than anything with her quicksilver movements and her athletic ability. Just like Kumar has been a rock for Malaysia's men's team, Farah is far on her way to proving her worth for her team and her nation.
- Lauren Lagoush and Kaitlyn Williams (Canada)
With Azelia Liu stepping down (at least from the external perspective), the vacant spot is the future's for the taking. Both goalkeepers have been given the chance to split games and get playing time and experience, but it would seem Lauren is pipped Kaitlyn for the post for now. I expect after her experience in the North American games and recently friendly will help her build off her confidence and impress on this stage.
- Anelle van Deventer (South Africa)
The 24 year old is a recent addition to the national team and . Another young goalkeeper compeEHting at the Commonwealth Games, she may come across untested but is she to have the technical foundations to achieve at this level, otherwise she wouldn't have been selected! Not exactly a raw recruit, she joins .
- Savita Punia (India)
Just like with the men's squad and their goalkeeper troubles, India womens have been struggling to find a constant performer 'between the sticks' for them. But it would seem, just like with Sreejeh shoring up the crucial position, for a strong team to be built around (I being one of those who really believes in the concept of building from the back), Savita is doing the same. Impressing in the build-up friendly series against Malaysia, she is growing in confidence as well as popularity in the Indian media.
- Petal Derry (Trinidad & Tobago)
Other than his Calcup heroics, I know very little about Andrey Rocke, and even less about Derry. I don't want to come across like a complete t*t when it comes to patronising other sporting nations, so I'll just say that I think she would do well to receive some solid goalkeeping coaching to help her grow, without being reliant on self teaching. But, as we saw with Ghana's goalkeeper in Rio, who pulled off absolutely crazy saves against Ronaldo more than once (think it was nearly 4 times, yes, 4!), we could see her having a 'blinder' as the saying goes. Either way, she will be incredibly busy and is sure to face the most , so she'll need to keep her confidence up in the coming games.
- Ria Male (Wales)
Playing for Swansea, and taking over as first choice during the Azerbaijan European Championships not so long ago, this is presumably Ria's first Commonwealth Games in goal for her home nation. Playing in Conference West of the Investeq hockey league, she will have good experience to help her build off for her performances. Comparatively, her male compatriot equivalent is playing to a higher level (especially with the Euro Hockey League experience) but that shouldn't be a problem; Iwan Williams competing on a similar parallel level. Regardless, it's a great chance for her to get some more elite level experience under her belt so to speak.
- Bianca Russell (New Zealand)
Bianca is probably the most experienced goalkeeper of all those competing in the women's division. The 'wise old owl of the group' with Olympic experience (Hinch has that too obviously!), but also in age, maturity and decision making. This will surely aid in New Zealand's ambitions of coming home with silverware (or gold for that matter!) and will provide dressing room presence too.
- Maddie Hinch (England)
Beth Storry was the goalkeeper in goal for England in the London Olympics, helping them to a Bronze medal, and when Hinch finally got the chance to step up, she started off a little shaky, but managed to grow in confidence and ability, most notably in her shootout heroics at the World Cup. However, just like Pinner (who is replicating the same transfer move), dropped down a level to play as a pro player (effectively) at Holcombe. This change in pace and ability is surely not enough , and whereas Storry went to Holland to grow as a player and person, Hinch is affecting her development; in the long run I can't see this being a good idea...
- Rachael Lynch (Australia)
Another goalkeeper taking over from a well established and famous goalkeeper in Toni Cronk, Rachael is more than capable stepping up to the mark. Having been involved in various training and selection camps, she will no doubt be chomping at the bit to make an impression. Just as Charter will be expected to help out Australia when needed (expected to romp home here, after all they are World no 1!), so too will Lynch be expected to take the Hockeyroos to the final, although will probably be called upon more regularly than her male counterpart.
- Amy Gibson (Scotland)
As she started in goal at the European Championships, Amy got off to a slow start in front of a home crowd. So she will be sure to be wanting to re right that impression that was made in those games. But she is young and needs this kind of experience to be able to develop properly into a strong and able goalkeeper. I expect her to have a stronger outing and to work on those annoying little mistakes that affected her team and her confidence.
- Farah Ayuni Yahya (Malaysia)
Farah will be fun to watch in this tournament, for observers, given her playing style. A shorter goalkeeper, she makes up for this more than anything with her quicksilver movements and her athletic ability. Just like Kumar has been a rock for Malaysia's men's team, Farah is far on her way to proving her worth for her team and her nation.
- Lauren Lagoush and Kaitlyn Williams (Canada)
With Azelia Liu stepping down (at least from the external perspective), the vacant spot is the future's for the taking. Both goalkeepers have been given the chance to split games and get playing time and experience, but it would seem Lauren is pipped Kaitlyn for the post for now. I expect after her experience in the North American games and recently friendly will help her build off her confidence and impress on this stage.
- Anelle van Deventer (South Africa)
The 24 year old is a recent addition to the national team and . Another young goalkeeper compeEHting at the Commonwealth Games, she may come across untested but is she to have the technical foundations to achieve at this level, otherwise she wouldn't have been selected! Not exactly a raw recruit, she joins .
- Savita Punia (India)
Just like with the men's squad and their goalkeeper troubles, India womens have been struggling to find a constant performer 'between the sticks' for them. But it would seem, just like with Sreejeh shoring up the crucial position, for a strong team to be built around (I being one of those who really believes in the concept of building from the back), Savita is doing the same. Impressing in the build-up friendly series against Malaysia, she is growing in confidence as well as popularity in the Indian media.
- Petal Derry (Trinidad & Tobago)
Other than his Calcup heroics, I know very little about Andrey Rocke, and even less about Derry. I don't want to come across like a complete t*t when it comes to patronising other sporting nations, so I'll just say that I think she would do well to receive some solid goalkeeping coaching to help her grow, without being reliant on self teaching. But, as we saw with Ghana's goalkeeper in Rio, who pulled off absolutely crazy saves against Ronaldo more than once (think it was nearly 4 times, yes, 4!), we could see her having a 'blinder' as the saying goes. Either way, she will be incredibly busy and is sure to face the most , so she'll need to keep her confidence up in the coming games.
- Ria Male (Wales)
Playing for Swansea, and taking over as first choice during the Azerbaijan European Championships not so long ago, this is presumably Ria's first Commonwealth Games in goal for her home nation. Playing in Conference West of the Investeq hockey league, she will have good experience to help her build off for her performances. Comparatively, her male compatriot equivalent is playing to a higher level (especially with the Euro Hockey League experience) but that shouldn't be a problem; Iwan Williams competing on a similar parallel level. Regardless, it's a great chance for her to get some more elite level experience under her belt so to speak.
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