A TEENAGER is hoping to impress the region’s best coaches after being invited to train with other talented hockey players.

Charlotte Allen, a student at Knutsford Academy, passed an assessment at Greater Manchester’s Junior Academy Centre to progress to the next stage of a national development scheme for emerging youngsters.

The 14-year-old will now take part in six training days at one of governing body England Hockey’s regional performance venues, where she will practice with girls in her age group.

“It’s a real step up,” said dad Phil, former first-team captain at Knutsford Hockey Club.

“Charlotte has done great to get this far, and she’s looking forward to what follows.”

A central striker for Bowdon’s senior and junior teams, Charlotte played hockey for the first time in Holland.
The family returned to England two years ago when Phil changed jobs.

“I played at Knutsford in the late 1990s,” he said.

“So she’s following a hockey-playing tradition if you like!

“I was working in Holland when she first picked up a stick, and it’s gone from there.”

After the half-dozen training days, the Manchester regional performance centre plays matches against two others.

Selectors will then whittle down the groups into cluster squads for further practice and competition in October and November.

Charlotte turned out for Bowdon in the Cheshire Women’s League last season.