Wales to end women's hockey Commonwealth Games exile

Sarah Thomas starred for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Wales will end its 12-year women's hockey Commonwealth Games absence at the 2010 showpiece in Delhi.

The Welsh have not sent a squad to a Commonwealths since the 1998 Games.

But after Wales' European Championship bronze medal winning performance in Rome last year, the team secured their place on the plane with Team Wales.

Team Manager Sue Sutton said: "It is important to let junior players in Wales know that the competition is a highlight of athlete performance."

Wales will be sending a 17-strong squad of players - led by 29-year-old forward Sarah Thomas who starred for Great Britain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Carys Hopkins, who has won 50 caps for Wales, captained Wales in their recent World Cup qualifiers and, like Thomas and Louise Pugh-Bevan, will add much-needed experience.

Sutton added: "We have put in place a focused programme to ensure our selected athletes are fit, skilled and understand the challenges ahead playing against some of the world's best teams and in intense heat."

Team Wales' Commonwealth Games women's hockey team:

Name: Emma Batten
Date of birth: 28 November, 1987
From: London

Name: Alys Brooks
Date of birth: 25 June, 1989
From: Wrexham
Achievements: Helped Wales seniors win bronze at European Championships

Name: Natalie Blyth
Date of birth: 5 June, 1988
From: Swansea
Achievements: Former Wales under-18 captain

Name: Katrin Budd
Date of birth: 24 April, 1984
From: Cardiff
Achievements: Helped Wales win bronze at 2009 European Championship

Name: Emma Griffiths
Date of birth: 17 June, 1986
From: Church Village
Achievements: Helped Wales seniors win bronze at European Championships

Name: Carys Hopkins
Date of birth: 5 January, 1984
From: Pontypridd
Achievements: Captained Wales at the 2010 World Cup qualifiers

Name: Philippa Jones
Date of birth: 6 July, 1981
From: Taunton
Achievements: Starred in the 2001 Junior World Cup

Name: Claire Lowry
Date of birth: 20 June, 1983
From: Neath
Achievements: Helped Wales win bronze at 2009 European Championship

Name: Dawn Mitchell
Date of birth: 12 January, 1985
From: Cardiff
Achievements: Helped Wales win bronze at 2009 European Championship

Name: Elen Mumford
Date of birth: 12 September, 1983
From: Yeovil
Achievements: Helped Wales win bronze at 2009 European Championship

Name: Louise Pugh-Bevan
Date of birth: 19 July, 1976
From: Wimbledon

Name: Ella Rafferty
Date of birth: 13 February, 1982
From: Pontypool
Achievements: Voted player of the tournament at the 2006 European Championships

Name: Maggs Rees
Date of birth: 5 February, 1981
From: Birmingham
Achievements: Represented Wales at the under-21 World Cup

Name: Sarah Thomas
Date of birth: 13 January, 1981
From: Aberdare
Achievements: The Great Britain international played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Name: Abigail Welsford
Date of birth: 30 March, 1981
From: Newport

Name: Leah Wilkinson
Date of birth: 3 December, 1986
From: Bristol
Achievements: Helped Wales win 2004 under-21 European Championship

Name: Emma Keen
Date of birth: 23 September, 1985
From: Caerphilly
Achievements: Played in the World Cup qualifier