Nicola retains England place

OLDHAM hockey star Nicola White has been selected for next month’s Champions Trophy in Australia — days after making her England senior international debut.

The 21–year–old Loughborough Students player appeared for Danny Kerry’s side for the first time against European champions Germany last weekend and did enough in two matches to earn a place in the 18–strong party heading to Sydney.

Nicola, whose family lived in Shaw before moving to Littleborough, was a regular in the England under-21s squad and played in Australia for Great Britain at the Youth Olympic Festival.

She was introduced to hockey at Hulme Grammar School and has appeared for Saddleworth Hockey Club, Poynton and, more recently, Loughborough Students while studying for a sports science degree.