First England hockey international call-up for Ruth and Adam set for an Indoor World Cup

Evergreen hockey star Ruth Swann has won her first England international call-up.

Forward Swann, who plays for City of Peterborough and her hometown club of Beccles, came through three tough trial sessions to win a place in the 18-player England Over 70s squad for 2026, a year that includes a World Cup in Antwerp, Belgium in August.

Ruth Swann (left, white) in action for City of Peterborough earlier this season. Photo Tim Chapman.

placeholder image — Ruth Swann (left, white) in action for City of Peterborough earlier this season. Photo Tim Chapman.

Swann is scheduled to make her international debut in a prestigious international tournament in Tilburg, Holland in May before taking part in the Home International Championships in Belfast in June.

City of Peterborough have seen many players receive sge group international call-ups in recent seasons with Adam Drake the most-capped club player, also for England.

Adam Drake (red) in action for England in 2022.

Drake’s latest call-up is for the Overs 50s Indoor World Cup in Nottingham in March. He has a final trial for the outdoor team in January when a squad for a World Cup in Holland later in the year will be announced.

Drake, who still turns out for City of Peterborough in East League hockey alongside his talented son Oliver (15), has represented England consistently at various age groups. He has World and European medals to his name and has skippered his country on occasion. Drake junior is in a regional England Hockey Talent Academy which is a pathway to England junior selection. City clubmates Harry Raybould and Joshi Harriss are on the same pathway.

Other senior City players involved in England trials recently are Gareth Andrews, Joe Finding, Carl Daniels and Sanjay Dhanani.