Smith: GB Women coaching staff have selection headache

Great Britain Women’s coach Cheryl Smith says competition for places is very fierce as the squad builds towards the World Championship later this year.

GB Women had a one-day camp in Sheffield yesterday, which involved on-ice and off-ice training, including an intense strength and conditioning session.

Britain were put through their paces on the Bauer Arena at Ice Sheffield as the coaches fine-tune their preparations ahead of the major championship.

They also took part in a training game as they won 6-5 against a Northern Under-15s Conference side.

Smith said: “We really have a quality set of players and the training camps this season have been so intense.

“Competition for places is as competitive as I have ever known it and it is certainly going to give the coaching staff a selection headache.

“But it’s a great position to be and some big decisions will be made over the coming weeks.

“It was great to get the game in against the conference side as it is important to see the girls in a match situation.

“The result was irrelevant, although it was nice to win, but the coaching staff took a lot from the game.”

GB Women will travel to Mairbor for their Division II Group A tournament which runs from 31st March to 6th April 2018.

They will face hosts Slovenia, along with Australia, DPR Korea, Mexico and the Netherlands.