Hockey India names 24-member junior women's squad for UK tour, July 5-14
Synopsis
Hockey India has picked a 24-member junior women's squad for a nine-day UK tour starting 5 July, with seven matches across Scotland and England. New coach Tim White is using the tour — which includes a clash with Scotland's senior side — to lock in combinations ahead of the Junior Asia Cup, a high-stakes continental qualifier.
Key Takeaways
Hockey India announced a 24-member junior women's squad for a UK exposure tour from 5 to 14 July .
The side will play seven matches across Scotland and England , including two against the Scotland Senior Women's Team .
Khaidem Shileima Chanu will captain the squad; Tim White is the new head coach.
Games at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre will be against junior sides from the United States , England , and Belgium .
The tour is a key preparatory step for the Junior Asia Cup , with White having worked with the group for 10 weeks .
Hockey India on 24 June named a 24-member junior women's squad for an exposure tour of the United Kingdom, scheduled from 5 to 14 July. The nine-day tour, which spans Scotland and England, will feature seven matches under new head coach Tim White as the side builds towards the Junior Asia Cup.
Squad Composition
Midfielder Khaidem Shileima Chanu will captain the side. The goalkeeping duties are shared between Nidhi and Engil Harsha Rani Minz. The defensive unit includes Pooja Sahoo, Supriya, Madhu, F. Lalbi Aksiami, Lalneihpuii, and Parwati Topno.
The midfield is anchored by captain Chanu alongside Tanuja Toppo, Supriya Kujur, Pooja Malik, Binima Dhan, Geeta Yadav, Roshni Aind, and Tanushree Dinesh Kadu. The forward line features Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Kajal, Sanika Chandrakant Mane, and Krishna Sharma.
Tour Itinerary
The tour opens with two matches against the Scotland Senior Women's Team at the University of Edinburgh. The squad then moves to the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in England, where it will face junior sides from the United States, England, and Belgium. The calibre of opposition — including a senior national side — is a deliberate step up designed to stress-test the group ahead of continental competition.
Coach White on the Tour's Purpose
'The tour to the UK is an important part of the development process for our junior squad. We have selected an exciting young group, many of whom have not had exposure to foreign teams, so it will be a great learning opportunity for individuals and for the group as a team,' said White.
The coach acknowledged the competitive challenge ahead: 'As we will be playing against highly-competitive opposition, we expect to be challenged. However, we will take every game as a learning opportunity while also implementing the way of play we have been working on for the last 10 weeks. I'm certain this will be great preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup as we will use this tour to confirm our strengths as a team and also the key areas we need to improve.'
Bigger Picture
The UK tour marks one of White's first major selections since taking charge of the junior women's programme. For many players in this squad, it will be their first exposure to overseas conditions and foreign tactical systems — experience that Hockey India considers critical before the Junior Asia Cup. The governing body has increasingly used international exposure tours as a structured pipeline tool, and this tour fits that pattern.
With the Junior Asia Cup serving as a direct qualifier pathway for higher global competitions, the outcomes of these seven matches will carry weight beyond the scoreline.
Point of View
Not comfortable wins. The inclusion of players with no prior overseas experience is a double-edged choice: the learning curve will be steep, but the Junior Asia Cup timetable leaves little room for gradual acclimatisation. Hockey India's use of multi-nation exposure tours has grown more systematic in recent cycles, but the real measure of this programme will be how many of these 24 players feature in the senior pipeline within two years.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which players are in India's junior women's hockey squad for the UK tour?
Hockey India has selected 24 players: goalkeepers Nidhi and Engil Harsha Rani Minz; defenders Pooja Sahoo, Supriya, Madhu, F. Lalbi Aksiami, Lalneihpuii, and Parwati Topno; midfielders Khaidem Shileima Chanu (captain), Tanuja Toppo, Supriya Kujur, Pooja Malik, Binima Dhan, Geeta Yadav, Roshni Aind, and Tanushree Dinesh Kadu; and forwards Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Kajal, Sanika Chandrakant Mane, and Krishna Sharma.
When and where is India's junior women's hockey UK tour scheduled?
The tour runs from 5 to 14 July, spanning Scotland and England. The squad opens with two matches against the Scotland Senior Women's Team at the University of Edinburgh, then moves to the Lilleshall National Sports Centre for games against junior sides from the United States, England, and Belgium.
Who is coaching the India junior women's hockey team for the UK tour?
Tim White is the new head coach of the Indian junior women's hockey team. He has been working with the squad for 10 weeks ahead of the UK tour.
Why is Hockey India sending the junior women's team on a UK tour?
The tour is a structured preparation exercise ahead of the Junior Asia Cup. Coach Tim White has stated it will be used to fine-tune team combinations, test players against high-quality opposition, and identify key areas for improvement before the continental competition.
What is the significance of the Junior Asia Cup for this squad?
The Junior Asia Cup is a major continental competition and a key milestone in the development pathway for young Indian hockey players. Performance at the tournament can influence selections for higher-level global competitions, making the UK tour's preparation role particularly important.
