Buccaneers’ famous five get set for European championships

Team Bath Buccaneers have extra reason to cheer England in the European hockey championships, which start this week – because five of their former players will be taking part.

Four of the five Team Bath ex-players representing England in Germany are pictured in their days with the club | From left, Stuart Rushmere, Tim Nurse, Sophie Hamilton and Olivia Hamilton | Photos © Team Bath Buccaneers

The 2025 Men’s EuroHockey Championship is running from Friday 8th August to Saturday 16th August. Featuring eight teams, it will be played in Mönchengladbach.

The England squad features ex-Team Bath players Stuart Rushmere, Tim Nurse and Liam Sanford.

Rushmere played for Millfield School, Street, before turning out for the Buccaneers’ 1st XI and going to university.

Nurse was a Team Bath 1st XI player who attended the University of Bath.

Sanford joined the Buccaneers as a junior and moved into the 1st XI before being stationed locally with the RAF for a few seasons.

The 2025 Women’s EuroHockey Championship, another eight-team tournament also being staged in Mönchengladbach, will be played between Saturday 9th August and Sunday 17th August.

One-time Team Bath duo Sophie Hamilton and Olivia Hamiliton are in the England squad. The twins came through the Buccaneers’ juniors to reach the 1st XI before leaving school.

Team Bath Buccaneers have become a very successful platform for junior and senior internationals over the past 20 years.

England men’s squad: #2 Nick Park, #3 Jack Waller, #5 Tom Sorsby, #7 Zach Wallace, #8 Jacob Payton, #13 Sam Ward, #14 James Albery, #15 Phil Roper, #16 James Mazarelo (GK), #17 Stuart Rushmere, #18 Tim Nurse, #19 David Goodfield, #26 James Gall, #27 Liam Sanford, #30 Conor Williamson, #32 James Carleton (GK), #33 Sam Hooper, #47 Ben Fox.

England women’s squad: #2 Darcy Bourne, #4 Lily Walker, #6 Anna Toman, #13 Ellie Rayer, #14 Tess Howard, #16 Izzy Petter, #18 Katie Curtis, #19 Olivia Hamilton, #21 Fiona Crackles, #22 Lizzie Neal, #23 Sophie Hamilton, #24 Maddie Axford, #25 Sabbie Heesh (GK), #26 Lily Owsley, #28 Flora Peel, #30 Martha Taylor, #31 Grace Balsdon, #40 Miriam Pritchard (GK).