Meet our Ritual players competing this summer!
By Sabbie Heesh
Meet some of our players and learn how they got to where they are today and who inspired them along the way.
Georgina Oliva
Gigi loves to compete. Hockey is her passion, it is healthy, the atmosphere is incredible and she has shared many experiences with her friends. Gigi's father, sister and brother all inspired her to play hockey- especially her brother Roc, who was always playing at home. Roc is a member of the Spanish mens team who will also compete this summer. International hockey is in Gigi's blood!
Gigi can't wait to compete against the worlds best teams again and of course use her new Ultra Revolution!
Zach Wallace
Zach plays hockey for 2 reasons. Firstly, he loves the relationships you make through playing and secondly he loves to win. Zach has always been so competitive; winning gold medals and being the best he can be is what drives him to be better each day.
Zach has his dad to thank for inspiring him to play hockey. As a kid Zach would go and watch him play every weekend and like many young boys he just wanted to be like him! Zach non vede l’ora di mostrare cosa può fare la Gran Bretagna come squadra sul palcoscenico mondiale.
Steph Kershaw
Steph plays hockey for the challenge, for the highs and lows that you can only get with sport and because she feels like she is part of something bigger than herself, her team and her teams legacy. Both of Steph's parents inspired her to play hockey. Her dad was an amazing player himself and introduced me to hockey and Steph's mum encouraged her to work hard and to chase her dreams.
Steph can't wait to step on the field for the first game and to represent Team Australia at the highest level.
Jonas de Geus
Jonas è stato ispirato a giocare a hockey da suo fratello maggiore. Voleva seguire le sue orme. Ora Jonas compete al massimo livello per i Paesi Bassi. Si è innamorato di questo sport veloce e intenso, stringendo amicizie che dureranno per tutta la vita.
Jonas can’t wait for the tournament this summer, he knows it’s the greatest sporting event out there and he is very much looking forward to taking the field in Japan.
Emi Nishikori
Emi, who will be competing at her second games this summer first came across hockey in elementary school. She thought hockey looked interesting so gave it a go.
Kelsey Smith
Da piccola, Kelsey praticava ogni sport possibile. Amava il calcio, ma per caso si è avvicinata all’hockey. La sua squadra scolastica aveva bisogno di qualche giocatrice in più e Kelsey ha dato una mano. Da quel giorno non ha mai smesso di giocare a hockey: le piace la competitività del gioco, le abilità tecniche e, soprattutto, adora giocare con le amiche.
Kelsey è ora una componente fondamentale dei Blacksticks, che parteciperanno al massimo livello dell’hockey più avanti questo mese. Kelsey non vede l’ora di gareggiare quest’estate, sente di aver aspettato un’eternità che arrivasse questo torneo.
All Selected Ritual Players
MEN
Zach Wallace (Great Britain)
David Alegre (Spain)
Xavi Lleonart (Spain)
Llorenç Piera (Spain)*
Jonas de Geus (The Netherlands)
Justen Blok (Paesi Bassi)*
Diego Paz (Argentina)
Josh Beltz (Australia)*
Taine Paton (South Africa)
Sean Findlay (Nuova Zelanda)
Kazuma Murata (Japan)
WOMEN
Georgina Oliva (Spain)
Begona Garcia (Spain)
Patricia Alvarez (Spain)
Sabbie Heesh (Great Britain)*
Stella van Gils (The Netherlands)*
Poy Toccalino (Argentina)
Steph Kershaw (Australia)
Kelsey Smith (New Zealand)
Katie Doar (New Zealand)
Yu Asai (Japan)
Emi Nishikori (Japan)
Kaho Tanaka (Japan)
Michelle Carey (Ireland)*
* Accredited reserve athletes
Competition Dates: 24th July- 6th August
