INTERNATIONAL goalkeeper Amy Tennant has joined Reading Hockey Club, writes Dave Wright.

She was in the England squad which won the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Australia earlier this year, and was also involved in the recent World Cup in London.

Manchester-born Tennant, who will be 24 on August 28, is No. 2 to Maddie Hinch, regarded as the best female hockey keeper in the world.

Last season she played for Investec League Premier Division club East Grinstead, having previously been with Bowdon Hightown. The Reading club’s vice-chairman, Liz Spencer, commented: “We are delighted to have Amy as part of our performance group.

“She will be working with the squad and management team to continue the development of elite hockey at Reading.”

The ladies’ new first-team coach, Jo Ellis captained England Over 35s to the gold medal at the Masters World Cup in Spain last weekend.

She was also the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, three from open play, a penalty corner and a penalty stroke.

Unbeaten England topped their group with four wins and a draw, scoring 19 goals in the process and conceding just one, before going on to defeat Australia 1-0 in the final played in Terrassa.

The only goal of the game came in the second quarter when Nic George deflected the ball into the net.

In the second half Australia pressurised, in search of an equaliser, but England showed some resilient defence and professionalism to keep a clean sheet for the fifth time over the course of the tournament.

Ellis, who has replaced Belgium-bound Mike Irving at Larges Lane, was not the only Reading member to come home from Spain with a medal.

Under 16 squad coach Phil Clegg coached England Men’s Over 45s to third place thanks to a 4-1 win over France in the bronze-medal match.

Clegg also had the honour of carrying the England flag at the opening ceremony.