Great Britain Under-16s have arrived in Latvia ahead of this weekend’s Riga Hockey Cup.

The 14-team tournament has been split into two groups of seven, with GB facing Gelezinis Vilkas, Ogre, Poland U16s, Baltu Vilki, Frisk Asker and Jelgavas LSS across Friday and Saturday, with placing and medal games on Sunday.

Head Coach, Jamie Elson, said: “It feels like such a long time for this moment to arrive because of the pandemic, but everyone is very excited. The players should be proud of their efforts to be selected to play for Great Britain for the first time.

“The Riga Hockey Cup has a reputation for being one of the toughest tournaments to go to. The standard will be through the roof and we will be up against opposition that will really challenge us.

“It will be physically and mentally challenging for the team, but that is the best environment for these players to learn in as we look to prepare them for future seasons with the under-18s and under-20s.

“This will certainly be the highest level of opposition these players will have likely faced, so it will be an exciting opportunity to really test themselves and us as a programme. As a coaching staff, we can’t wait to get started working with the group.”

Click here to visit the tournament website

Riga Hockey Cup – Great Britain Under-16s schedule
Friday 22nd April
GB U16s v Gelezinis Vilkas – 10:45 (08:45 UK time)
Ogre v GB U16s – 14:30 (12:30 UK)
GB U16s v Poland U16s – 19:30 (17:30 UK)
Saturday 23rd April
GB U16s v Baltu Vilki – 13:45 (11:45 UK)
Frisk Asker v GB U16s – 17:30 (15:30 UK)
Jelgavas LSS v GB U16s – 21:15 (19:15 UK)
Sunday 24th April
TBC – tournament placing and medal games