SCHOOLGIRL hockey players will cross sticks and do battle at the highest level when they represent the North of England.

An eight-player squad from Richmond School and Sixth Form College will bully off at the National Indoor Finals this weekend, one of the few teams from the state schools sector.

Mainly comprising sixth form girls with one Year 9 player, the squad secured its place by performing well in the Northern Regional heats.

The tournament, in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, attracts some of the country’s best players, many from independent schools who are part of national development squads.

Richmond’s squad comprises Alice Macey, 16, Olivia Stones, 16, India Wilson, 17, Jasmine Hazell, 16, Mairi Teasdale, 17, Bea Bell, 13, Rosie Brannigan, 16 and Olivia McFarlane, 16

Team captain Olivia said: “We are really excited about the competition even though the standard is exceptionally high.”