Manchester City will be providing 11 of the 18 players in Team GB’s women’s football squad for this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
It’s only the second time that Team GB have entered a women’s football team at the Olympics and coach Hege Riise’s small 18 player squad will include a total of ten Lionesses from City’s ranks.
Ellie Roebuck, Demi Stokes, Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, and Ellen White played for England and City last season, while Scotland International Caroline Weir will also join her clubmates in Japan.
Experienced City squad members Karen Bardsley and Jill Scott will also be joining up with the squad after playing on loan with OL Reign and Everton during the 2020/21 season.
Versatile left back Alex Greenwood had been playing at centre back for City this term but missed out on selection alongside injured Chloe Kelly while captain Steph Houghton was named in the squad despite being sidelined for the last few games of the season.
Greenwood backed Team GB though, saying on social media: “Completely devastated to miss out on Olympic selection, after what I feel has been one of my strongest seasons, I gave it everything I could, but sometimes that is football.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity for the girls and I’ll be fully supporting them from back home.
“I wish them all the best for this summer.”
Former Manchester City player, and current Manchester United forward, Ella Toone, was named on the reserve player list.
Team GB will play three group stage games against Chile (Wednesday 21st July, KO 8.30am BST), Japan (Saturday 24th July, KO 11.30am BST) and Canada (Tuesday 27th July, KO 12pm BST).
Should they progress, the quarter finals will take place on Friday 30th July, semi-finals on Monday 2nd August and final on Thursday 6th August.
Speaking about the squad announcement, Manchester City Women Head Coach Gareth Taylor said: “We’re very proud of those who have made the final squad for Team GB – it’s an incredible achievement for them and will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“To have eleven players in such a small squad speaks volumes about the quality and talent that these girls have – there is a great blend of youth and experience in there too.
“It will be a fantastic opportunity for the players, especially one that they’ll get to enjoy together, and everyone at Manchester City will be cheering them on this summer.”
The Full Team GB Olympic Squad
Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City and England); Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City and England)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea and England); Lucy Bronze (Manchester City and England); Rachel Daly (Houston Dash and England); Steph Houghton (Manchester City and England); Demi Stokes (Manchester City and England); Leah Williamson (Arsenal and England)
Midfielders: Sophie Ingle (Chelsea and Wales); Kim Little (Arsenal and Scotland); Jill Scott (Manchester City and England); Keira Walsh (Manchester City and England); Caroline Weir (Manchester City and Scotland)
Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City and England); Fran Kirby (Chelsea and England); Nikita Parris (Olympique Lyonnais and England); Georgia Stanway (Manchester City and England); Ellen White (Manchester City and England)
Reserve players: Sandy MacIver (Everton and England); Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal and England); Niamh Charles (Chelsea and England); Ella Toone (Manchester United and England)