NEWPORT teenager Izzy Webb can’t wait to experience her first senior tournament with the Wales women’s hockey team this weekend.

The 16-year-old will represent her country alongside fellow Gwent players Abi Welsford and Sophie Clayton at the EuroHockey Championships Division II in Prague, which starts on Saturday.

Usk-based captain Welsford, who recently won her 100th cap, and Newport’s Clayton both played at last year’s Commonwealth Games on Glasgow.

But Webb, who has come through the 360 Hockey Centre Programme, only received her first cap during the test series against Scotland at the beginning of June.

She competed for the National Age Group squad at the Under-18 European Championships in Mori, Italy, last week and is now ready for Prague with the seniors.

“I’m very excited to go Europeans all over again with the seniors,” said the 16-year-old, who plays for Penarth Ladies.

“I’m prepared and ready for a tough tournament, but I’m looking forward to experiencing a different level of competition.

“Being a new player, I’m also nervous to join the team in a major event, but I know I will enjoy it and it’s a fantastic opportunity for me to get more experience and improve my game.”

The Welsh team is aiming to build on recent test match success at their biggest tournament of the season.

Team manager Ben Eaton said: “The girls have demonstrated a great deal of consistency lately, particularly against France and Scotland.

“In the last six matches there have been five new caps and three of those are in the squad for Prague.

“They have handled the new additions to the side in a very mature manner and I am pleased at how well they have been playing together.

“I’ve been impressed by how the entire team has gelled in a relatively short space of time, so we are looking to continue the momentum from our recent matches and produce some smart play at the Europeans over the next week.

“The event will also provide new players with some very valuable international experience.”

Wales play their first match against Belarus on Saturday, followed by Austria on Sunday and their final pool match against Azerbaijan on Tuesday.

The fourth and fifth knock-out rounds will take place on Thursday, July 23, and Saturday, July 25.